Monthly Report: Paréa Lesvos March 2025

Check out our monthly project update for March 2025 at Paréa Lesvos

Enjoying the peace of the garden, 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, Sporos Regeneration Institute, 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

From 3 March to 6 April 2025, there were 599 arrivals at Lesvos in total, while 460 departed within the same period*, bringing the camp population to 1,994. Meanwhile, 2 pushback cases** were reported in the Aegean Sea, involving 55 children, women, and men who attempted to reach safety in Europe.

Two deadly shipwrecks claimed the lives of at least 16 people in a single day—one off the coast of Lesvos and the other in Turkish waters. Among the dead were two children. As if this devastating loss were not enough, one of the survivors—who lost his wife and one of his two children while trying to reach Lesvos—was arrested and is now imprisoned in Chios, accused of human trafficking. Tragically, this is not an isolated case. Time and again, people who survive shipwrecks—who witness their loved ones drown—are treated not as victims, but as criminals. Instead of receiving support, they are forced to grieve behind bars.

Recognized refugees in Lesvos are now facing new bureaucratic obstacles when trying to access healthcare or show necessary prescriptions at their local Social Security offices. NGOs working on integration are raising concerns and will advocate for urgent changes to ensure refugees can access the services they are entitled to.

For the another month in a row, we must report that the water temperature in the showers at the CCAC in Lesvos has remained low. This has been the case throughout the entire winter and continues to this day—with temperatures still at just 18°C—despite repeated promises and efforts by the camp administration to resolve the issue.

UNHCR is currently facing a global funding crisis that is having a direct impact on its operations around the world. In Greece, this crisis means that UNHCR and its partners are being forced to scale back essential services. Adjustments are already underway, leading to a further reduction in the support available to those who need it most. They will maintain a presence on the Aegean islands, though with a significantly smaller team.

____________________ UNHCR / *Aegean Boat Report

MARCH IN NUMBERS

Highlight of the month

As spring arrived, we embraced the first sunny days to refresh and enhance our outdoor spaces, bringing new energy and even more color to Paréa. This month, we focused on revitalizing our surroundings by repainting and restoring dozens of benches, giving them a fresh look that complements the season.

Our wooden lounge areas also received much-needed repairs, ensuring they remain both comfortable and inviting.

Faces of Paréa

l like to hang out with my friends in Paréa. All the volunteers are really kind with everybody. I really enjoy playing volleyball, drinking hot chocolate in the Cafe and playing fifa at the gaming zone. Everybody at this place is really caring and open.   Mustafa - From Iraq

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Meet our partner: Yoga and Sport with Refugees 

Yoga and Sport with Refugees (YSR) is one of our partners that offers sports activities in Paréa, the Gym, and across the island. Their mission is to build a happier and healthier community with the power of sport and solidarity, through programs such as their coaching initiative for People on the Move who wish to pursue a career in sport. 

At Paréa Lesvos, thanks to their various sports activities, our visitors can strengthen their physical & mental wellbeing, but also find a way to release their emotions, discover their talents and find a common ground through basketball trainings and many other activities. In March, they organised community events celebrating the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, and hosted Iftar gatherings marking the breaking of fast during Ramadan.

Welcome to our space: Computer Room

The Computer Room offers our visitors an important digital space with access to a computer to search the internet, use their emails or communicate with loved ones across the world. On top of that, Europe Cares offers beginner and intermediate computer classes three days a week.

In the last month, more than 45 visitors either worked on their basic computer skills in the beginner course or became familiar with the Microsoft office programs and created their CVs in the Intermediate class. These classes are one way we are providing long term, impactful support for our visitors.

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