The Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) in Fylakio, Evros near the Greek-Turkish border. Here 240 people, 120 of whom are unaccompanied minors, stay while waiting for permanent shelter, some for as long as 5 months, without access to the most basic healthcare. Some children have self-harmed while others have attempted to commit suicide while staying at the RIC. Often suffering from pre-existing trauma, the inadequate living conditions and uncertainty for the future contribute to mental health problems for children here.

In light of the limited medical presence in the RIC, in July 2018 MSF set up an intervention of primary healthcare (PHC) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) to bridge the gap in medical services for refugees and migrants. Our intervention aimed at giving authorities, in particular the nationwide medical operation for refugees, Philos 2 (MoH), time to set up a healthcare operation in the RIC, as per its responsibility.

MSF extended its operations beyond the initial agreement with authorities, from end of October until end of December, 2018, to give Philos 2 more time to set up a medical presence, but these services are still not being provided. Now, it is essential for the MoH to act on its mandate to fill the RIC with a full medical team, including PHC, mental healthcare, SRH, along with a team of cultural mediators.