Check out our monthly project update for November 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 November, 2,461 people arrived in Lesvos, increasing the camp population to 3,318 — a 50% rise in arrivals compared to last month. This is the largest number of arrivals recorded in November over the last three year, stretching the camp's capacity to its limits.
Meanwhile, 41 pushback incidents were reported in the Aegean Sea, impacting 1,306 people, including children, women, and men. Tragically, November turned deadly with 12 lives lost on the rocky shores of Samos, including eight small children. A woman remains missing after a shipwreck near Farmakonisi, and another man succumbed to hypothermia upon arrival in Lesvos. These heartbreaking tragedies highlight the dire consequences of the lack of safe routes for people seeking protection in Europe.
While improvements like a new laundry station and repaired restrooms provide relief, major challenges persist in the Lesvos camp. Interpretation services are limited to Arabic and Farsi, worsening access for asylum seekers amid declining recognition rates and inconsistent policies. Reports highlight confusion regarding the treatment of people transferred between islands or to the mainland, leaving many without registration. Every person who has not been registered is considered an illegal migrant in Greece, without any access to basic services such as food and health care. This poses an immense pressure on an already very vulnerable group.
Women and children face inadequate child protection, and inconsistent access to healthcare and education. The imminent closure of NGOs focused on informal education, along with staffing and funding issues in the state-run integration program, leaves critical gaps in psychosocial and legal support for vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, schools materials and vaccination coverage are insufficient for the number of children arriving in Lesvos, with no clear answer from the Greek authorities on how or when there will be a solution to face these needs.
Despite efforts to promote integration, employment opportunities are scarce, and adult education programs face bureaucratic delays. Awareness campaigns aim to boost interest in legal employment, but systemic challenges like housing shortages and language barriers remain.
Once again, this situation highlights the continuous lack of resources and standardized policies to meet the critical needs of the refugee population on Lesvos.
NOVEMBER IN NUMBERS
Highlight of the month
During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we organized a series of inclusive activities aimed at raising awareness about violence against women and girls. These activities included creative expression workshops, such as a portrait collage session, and practical skill-building events, like a cooking workshop and a beeswax cream-making workshop. Health-focused initiatives, including female health information sessions and the distribution of 100 self-care kits to female visitors, further supported participants.
Our efforts engaged a wide range of participants and were made possible through collaborations with other organizations and local businesses. By uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds, we hope to inspire and empower them while fostering coexistence, encouraging knowledge exchange, and supporting people in making their next moves towards a safer and more equitable future.
Faces of Paréa
I like to spend my time in the Paréa Club playing chess and participate in the guitar classes. Sometimes I also join the arts activities or participate in the special workshops. I like to come to Paréa because here I can practise my English and talk to the volunteers who work here. Ahmad - From Syria
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Meet our partner: ReFOCUS Media Labs
Our partner organization ReFOCUS is dedicated to equipping asylum seekers with essential media skills, offering training in photography, videography, audio production, and graphic design in various locations across Europe.
In Paréa, ReFOCUS offers daily classes, including photography and video editing as well as stop-motion and animation. Through these programs, ReFOCUS empowers participants to tell their own stories, develop professional skills, and pursue careers in media.
The programs offered by ReFOCUS are invaluable, as they foster creativity, build technical skills, and provide a meaningful distraction from daily challenges people on the move are facing.
Welcome to our space: Paréa Club
Paréa Club is a program run by Europe Cares which offers a welcoming environment where visitors can enjoy a range of activities, from playing chess and other board games to strumming the guitar and listening to music. The Paréa Club also provides opportunities to get involved in crafts and arts, with special workshops like upcycling and portrait-making to spark creativity.
Our visitors especially enjoy engaging with our volunteers and experiencing intercultural interactions. Beyond this, the Paréa Club fosters community building, offering a space for social connection, skill development, and a sense of empowerment through creative expression and mental engagement.
Comments