Four years after the EU-Turkey statement 41,600 asylum-seekers and refugees are crammed on the Greek islands with extremely poor sanitary conditions, fire hazards, mounting tensions among frustrated communities, and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as increasing reports of self-harm and suicides. 

The pressure has also spilled into local communities who feel they have gotten little support from the government or the European Union resulting in further tensions and even xenophobic violence. Worried about their own safety, many organisations have decided to evacuate their staff. 

Recent spikes in xenophobic violence have also been linked to far-right extremists travelling from across the EU to Greece. On top of all this, news of a confirmed case of COVID-19 on Lesvos has sparked fears of the impact of an outbreak at the overcrowded camps with reduced or closed medical services due to the recent wave of violence. What are the insights of the people on the ground and what can we do to help them?

On Wednesday 18 March 2020 we organised a webinar to hear from grassroots organisations in Lesvos on the current situation in the islands, the short and long term perspectives for those stuck on the islands, and how you can help from wherever you are.

🎤 Speakers 🎤
- Maryam Janikhuskh, former representative of the Afghan community in Moria camp
- Carmen Dupont, campaigner on migration
- Natasha Dailiani, lawyer at Legal Centre Lesvos 
- Efi Latsoudi, Lesvos Solidarity

❔ Support❔
Women Refugee Route is collecting donations for Lesvos grassroots organisations. Find out more on our website: https://www.womenrefugeeroute.org/latest-news/webinar-leavenoone