WHO deploys help to refugees and migrants in Lesvos’s fire-burned camp in the midst of COVID-19 outbreak

23 September 2020
In a catastrophic fire that broke out on 8 September 2020, the Moria reception and identification centre for asylum seekers and refugees on Lesvos, Greece, was burned to the ground. The world turned its attention towards the Greek island as some 12 000 refugees and migrants were left without shelter, food or access to health-care services. With 35 refugees and migrants having tested positive to COVID-19 a few days prior to the fire, the situation was particularly urgent, calling for immediate action and coordination.
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A few hours after the fire, a team from the WHO Country Office led by the WHO Representative visited the Moria reception and identification centre, which had burned to the ground. 

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The team made a rapid assessment of the situation. Its immediate priority was to map existing resources and make the best use of them in collaboration with the national authorities.

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On 11 September, the WHO team on the ground was joined by an expert from WHO/Europe. They began supporting the site planning for a central medical area at the new temporary accommodation site in the area of Kara Tepe.

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At the entrance of the new site, WHO established a coordination cell to help with critical public health response activities. Preparations for the provision of essential health services to refugees and migrants started immediately.

 

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To store medical supplies and equipment, WHO ensured access to a container that survived the fire in Moria and oversaw its transportation to the new temporary site.

 

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On 14 September, Norway’s EMT arrived on Lesvos. It was received by WHO and the Greek Ministry of Health through EODY.

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The team consisted of 22 members, including doctors and nurses with valuable experience in emergency health crises such as the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy earlier this year.

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WHO helped the EMT with customs clearance for the shipments of medical supplies and equipment, as well as their transportation and storage.

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Over 9000 refugees and migrants had been relocated to the new site by the evening of 20 September. The presence of the EMT was a game changer for the provision of medical support to the people in need. 

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By the end of the week, some 7000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests had been conducted at the new temporary accommodation site. 

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As part of its extensive coordination efforts, WHO briefed a representative from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

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WHO also regularly updated the team from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

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Here, the WHO Representative meets with the medical coordinator of Médecins du Monde.

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Several public health coordination meetings were held at the new site, chaired by the Secretary General for the Reception of Asylum Seekers.

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Here, the WHO team convenes with the Chief of the International Organization for Migration’s Office in Greece and the Secretary General for the Reception of Asylum Seekers shortly after the conclusion of a public health coordination meeting.

 

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Throughout the week, WHO worked hand in hand with the Greek Ministry of Health through EODY. The WHO representative and the President of EODY maintained close contact and collaboration.

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