At least 1,044 refugees with positive and negative decisions in their cases go hungry on Lesvos because they are cut off from the daily food distribution inside the CCAC Mavrovouni camp on Lesvos. Affected are vulnerable people such as pregnant women, disabled people and elderly. Being also cut off from the cash assistance, people have no possibilities to eat other than the food provided by the NGOs. We ask for everyone in the camp to have access to food no matter their legal status, because food is a basic human right!

Since the 17th of May 2023, the local authorities have gradually worsened the food insecurity for refugees on Lesvos. More and more people were cut off from the official distributions inside the camp. We, civil society groups on Lesvos, had no other choice as to step in, once again. In a joint effort together with our partners Refugee Relief Doro Blancke​, Leave No One Behind and Siniparxi, we were able to provide in total 11,312 food bags since the end of May 2023. This was on top of the 350 daily free lunches for a total of 21,000 lunches in the last 8 months in Paréa Lesvos. While our support could benefit people in the short term, we have been doing once again a job that is ultimately not ours.

As the situation grew worse and we saw inaction from the authorities, civil society groups on Lesvos sent two open letters to EU officials but went ignored. For so long, the EU officials have depended on NGOs to fill the gap in providing food to these people, but now we cannot and will not accept this anymore! As the situation continues to get worse, we have been challenged financially to keep up, and have reached the point where it is no longer possible for us to continue. 

We are demanding that the camp management, the Greek government, and the European Union stop denying anyone living in the camp their basic human rights. Food is only one aspect of the inhumane conditions in the camp. We demand that all people living in the camp, no matter their status, are getting access to the daily food distributions inside the camp. 

If you want to support us in holding the authorities accountable for this injustice, sign the petition, and most importantly, share it as widely as you can! 

 

Signing organizations:

Europe Cares e.V. / Paréa Lesvos​

Refugee Relief - Doro Blancke​

LeaveNoOneBehind​

Siniparxi​

Terra Psy ​

Defence for Children International - Greece​

Safe Shelter Lesvos (SSL) ​

Medical Volunteers International e.V.​

Welcome Office Lesvos​

Yoga & Sports with Refugees​

ReFOCUS Media Labs

 

For any kind of requests, please contact us via communications@europecares.org