Monthly Report: Paréa Lesvos July 2025
- Joaquin O'Ryan
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
Check out our monthly project update for July 2025 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 10 civil society organisations: Artists Giving Back, Boat Refugee Foundation, Collective Aid, Leave No One Behind, Makerspace Lesvos, Refocus Media Labs, Refugee Relief Doro Blancke, TerraPsy, 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 organisations 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
Between June 16 and July 20, Lesvos saw 443 new arrivals and 20 departures, according to UNHCR. This brings the total number of people who have reached the island in 2025 to 2,044. As of 24th of July, 998 people were living in the Lesvos Closed Controlled Access Center (CCAC), 150 in other facilities, and 219 were self-accommodated—each navigating a system that is meant to offer safety but often falls short of meeting basic needs**.
In the Aegean Sea, Aegean Boat Report documented 33 pushback incidents in July alone, affecting 793 people, including children, women, and men***. Each of these incidents represents a person denied the chance to seek protection, a fundamental human right under international law.
This month also saw worrying policy developments. The suspension of asylum applications for people arriving in Crete for three months has raised serious concerns among humanitarian actors, as such measures lack any legal basis in international or European law. In Lesvos, asylum applications are still being processed, but no cases have been rejected on the grounds that Türkiye is a “safe country.” This is because returns to Türkiye are currently suspended. Even so, many asylum seekers still face an uncertain future, as the process is slow and the outcome unclear.
Inside the CCAC, the temporary drop in population below 1,000 has slightly eased pressure on some services, but overcrowding persists in certain units. Living conditions remain challenging, with urgent needs for pest control, proper food storage, and more functional WASH facilities—particularly for residents with disabilities. Access to healthcare is strained by persistent staffing shortages, growing mental health needs, and the imminent closure of the camp pharmacy at the end of August, which will further limit access to essential medicines.
There are also signs of hope. 14 recognized refugees have secured jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector with the support of RIS (Reception and Identification Service), and two new refugee education coordinators have joined the CCAC, aiming to strengthen access to education. These steps remind us that, when the authorities are willing to collaborate, opportunities for integration can and should be expanded.
_______________________
UNHCR last official Aegean weekly snapshot was published on the 13th of July / *UNHCR / ***Aegean Boat Report
JULY IN NUMBERS
Highlight of the month
This month we were visited by the Orquesta de Cámara Solidaria (OCAS), an orchestra from Northern Spain which, as part of their solidarity initiative, VINCULOS, travel around the world performing free concerts for different communities. This month we were lucky enough to have them join us in Paréa, where 47 musicians performed an incredible and engaging concert for our visitors.
As the orchestra was setting up, our visitors in Paréa all gathered in anticipation and once the music started everyone was instantly captivated. In this concert the audience were not only spectators, but they were also invited to join in with the orchestra. Some visitors were given the opportunity to try being the conductor, and for several songs our visitors were asked to clap or shout along to the rhythm, making it feel as if we were all creating the music together.
The atmosphere was amazing, full of laughter and joy. Which was enhanced by the refreshing ice creams and juice being served from the cafe.
Faces of Paréa
Parea is a place where I meet new people, get to know them, and make friends with different nationalities than mine. I like participating in activities at Parea Club, and I can see children being happier here rather than at the camp. Parea is a place of joy! Khalid Khawajah - From Syria
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Meet our partner: Defence for Children International
Defence for Children International is a worldwide movement for children’s rights with National Sections and Associated Members active across four continents. Each of DCI’s National Sections works on those child rights issues that are the most relevant to their respective national contexts.
In Greece, DCI offers personalised legal support for asylum seekers to ensure that each person has a fair opportunity to present their claim and access the protection they are entitled to under international and national law. DCI provides support to People on the Move in Paréa, supporting families, youth and children through their asylum process – informing them of the legal process and their rights, and helping them prepare for their interviews and appeals.
Refugee Assistance Doro Blancke, another of our Partners, helps fund their crucial work in Paréa.
Welcome to our space: Paréa Club
It’s a hot Greek summer day. The cicadas are singing, and somewhere in the distance, drums are calling. You follow the rhythm and step into Paréa Club - suddenly surrounded by music, laughter, and energy.
A spontaneous jam session is underway. Guitars, drums, and dancing fill the space. Adults are playing chess, kids are deep into a game of Jenga, and someone suggests a basketball match. It feels too hot - but you can’t resist the fun.
After the match, you cool off in the breezy main hall, the cold extension of our Paréa Social Club in summer. You sit at a table, dive into colorful beads and threads, and let your creativity flow.
Paréa Club is more than a space - it's a summer state of mind. Music, play, rest, and connection, all in one vibrant place.
Comments