Check out our monthly project update for July 2024 at Paréa Lesvos
The word paréa in Greek means “company, circle of friends”: everyone is welcome in Paréa!
Located within walking distance from the CCAC (Closed and Controlled Access Camp) on Lesvos, our community center Paréa Lesvos offers a safe space where people on the move, locals and internationals can meet and spend time in a peaceful and welcoming environment.
Paréa is run by Europe Cares responsible for the safety, major facility costs, maintenance and development of the center. It is also a home to another 11 civil society organizations: Artists Giving Back, Boat Refugee Foundation, Circus Lesvos, Collective Aid, Leave No One Behind, Makerspace Lesvos, ReFocus Media Lab, Refugee Assistance Doro Blancke, Sporos Regeneration Institute, Terra Psy and Yoga and Sport with Refugees. In a time of high political uncertainty and constant withdrawal of support and international attention from Lesvos, our network of partner organizations joined forces to offer people on the move a wide range of services including food and NFI distributions, legal and psychosocial support, education and social care activities. But first and foremost, we offer a sense of community and belonging.
We are one community in solidarity. Will you join us?
View of Mavrovouni Camp from Paréa Lesvos
LESVOS UPDATES
In July, 390 people arrived in Lesvos, bringing the camp population to 860 people. Last month, 47 cases of pushbacks were recorded in the Aegean Sea, involving 1,314 children, women and men trying to reach safety in Europe. The number of people pushed back increased by 37.3% compared to June and is the highest number recorded in the last five months, explaining the main reason behind the much lower number of arrivals compared to the same month in 2023. Moreover, as reported by Aegean Boat Report and many survivors of the shipwreck, it is likely that on the 9th of July eight people lost their lives after having been pushed back by the Greek Coast Guard from the Aegean island of Inousses, abandoned on a fragile life raft which deflated leading those who could not swim to drown. The bodies were recovered by the Turkish Coast Guard, but no one has been held accountable for these deaths.
In the meantime, camp residents in the Lesvos CCAC face extreme temperatures, with July being the warmest month ever recorded in Greece and temperatures exceeding 40°C on several days. Nonetheless, like every year, there are still many housing units without AC units or fans, which creates sleep issues and a general feeling of distress.
Meanwhile, basic assistance actors point to a shortage of basic items, especially men’s clothing, with people waiting on waiting lists for more than a month before receiving a second set of clothes distributed by the NGOs. In particular, the lack of underwear adds up to many hygiene risks, as people living in the camp do not yet have access to any laundry service (apart from the one offered by NGOs to vulnerable cases in the camp or those outside of the camp). Moreover, for some days in the second week of July, camp residents did not have any access to medical services due to the discontinuation of services offered by EODY and the time required for the IOM's Hippocrates project to take over, with a bridging period with former EODY staff.
Nowadays, there are still more than 200 people without any access to state assistance including food, water, cash and medical care due to their legal status. Some of them, after having their asylum claims rejected, are stranded on the island, in a legal limbo unable to access basic needs or legal employment.
JULY IN NUMBERS
Highlight of the month
On July 10, we hosted a summer event, which included an entertaining clown
show by Red Noses International, a face painting station, an artist-led portrait drawing session, international music and dance, and a cooking workshop at the Women Space. More than 160 visitors
attended the activities that brought laughter and joy to all and fostered a sense of community among the visitors and members of the organisations in Paréa.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of ice cream, which provided a refreshing treat that was particularly appreciated during the hot summer temperatures.
Faces of Paréa
I come to Paréa because there is shade and cold water which we don’t have in the camp. And because you are providing food regardless of our legal status. We enjoy many things here, like playing table tennis, volleyball, basketball, and board games. We make new friends. Esam — from Yemen
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Meet our partner: COLLECTIVE AID
In July, we welcomed our new partner organization Collective Aid in Paréa. Collective Aid is committed to bringing support to refugees and other displaced people across Europe by offering services and raising awareness about the situation of people on the move.
In Paréa, Collective Aid took over the clothing distribution from LeaveNoOneBehind. Collective Aid now provides clothing sets to individuals in the camp three times per week, addressing the urgent need for clothing among the camp’s residents. With this, Collective Aid is covering essential basic needs, contributing to a more dignified life for people living in the camp.
Welcome to our space: THE CAFÉ
The Café is a program run by Europe Cares and offers free drinks, including coffee, tea, milk, chocolate and cold juice as well as free lunches cooked by our partner Zaporeak on a daily basis.
As food situation in the camp remains poor, we provide crucial support to the people in the camp. By providing 225 meals per day, we are especially supporting those who are cut off from governmental assistance due to their legal status.
Our visitors highly enjoy the Café, appreciating the sense of normality it brings. The opportunity to choose their preferred drinks and enjoy a nutritious food greatly enhances their experience.
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