Heavy machinery operates as migrants gather in the new temporary refugee camp of Kara Tepe, on the northeast island of Lesvos, Greece, Thursday, Sept 17, 2020 (AP Photo / Panagiotis Balaskas)
ATHENS – Greece’s Migration Ministry, criticized for conditions in refugee and migrant camps housing some 100,000 people, including 34,000 on the islands, is upset by criticism from the United Nations Agency for refugees (UNHCR)
UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo called for « urgent action and improvements … to prevent further deterioration of living conditions » for some 7,800 migrants living in Kara Tepe camp on the island by Lesbos
Mantoo highlighted « critical gaps in drainage, water, sanitation, hygiene and health services » as well as « dangers and security risks, » Kathimerini said of ‘a tent city set up after the fire at the famous Moria detention camp protest against a quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19
Some 12,500 people were left homeless for days on end, with the European Union breaking promises of aid and with only a handful of countries offering to take in relatively few people, unaccompanied minors and families
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A ministry official told the newspaper that the tent city people will live in in the winter – it was partially flooded by heavy rains – has some problems as it was assembled quickly
But the official, who has not been named, said UNHCR had « biased policies » and failed to keep its own « repeated promises » to do more to help, though two dozen other militant groups said the Moria camp was unfit for humans in operation
Refugee, pandemic, coronavirus, Lesvos
News from the world – GB – United Nations refugee agency tears Greece apart over Lesbos town
