MSF: conditions for refugees in Lesbos camp 'unacceptable'

(Vatican Radio) Following the deal made between the European Union and Turkey which allows for the deportation of forced migrants from the Greek island of Lesbos, Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni spoke to Michele Telaro, the Field Co-Ordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières in Lesbos.

He speaks about the dramatic situation migrants are facing at the moment, and about the conditions in the Morìa detention center where Pope Francis is meeting with men, women and children who have fled violence and are seeking protection.  

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Talking about the status of asylum seekers on the island, Telaro says that Greek authorities are overwhelmed and are trying to process the huge number of claims. Up to 200 refugees are continuing to arrive on the island everyday meaning that it will take weeks to process the claims that have already been filed.  Of the migrants who were sent back to Turkey under the deal with Greece, Telaro said that they will be detained at a camp there and sent back to the countries they have fled in the first place.

When asked to talk about the conditions of the refugee camps Telaro said that they are “completely unacceptable”. There are more than 3000 refugees who are detained in the Morìa Center,  a camp meant for no more than a thousand, forcing men, women and children to live together. There is insufficient food and healthcare and he says many are forced to sleep outside on the ground. Although Médecins Sand Frontières have access to the camps, Teralo has said that “the conditions are so bad it is almost impossible to help”.

He hopes that the Pope’s visit will draw attention to the crisis in Lesbos and the urgent need for facilities “to treat these people with dignity”. The population on the island is continuing to increase on a daily basis, and Telaro says that there is simply no more space.