Some 6,000 refugees and asylum-seekers reside on Samos Island, Vathy camp. The majority of the population on the island are from Syria (38%), Afghanistan (21%), and the Dem. Republic of Congo (12%). Women account for 20% of the population, and children for 29% of whom more than 7 out of 10 are younger than 12 years old. Approximately 17% of the children are unaccompanied or separated, mainly from Afghanistan or Syria. In Vathy camp, people have to queue for hours to get a shower or to go the toilet. There is a severe problem of rats and snakes in the camp. The living conditions of the camp have a terrible on the health and mental health of its residents.

In March 2020, the Greek government imposed restrictions of movement to migrants and asylum seekers contained in reception centers like Moria and Vathy, as well as camps on the mainland, in response to COVID-19. More than 30,000 people, 55% of whom are women and children, have essentially been forced to remain in these overcrowded and unhygienic centres with no possibility to escape the dangerous conditions which are part of their daily life. Despite the fact that there have been zero cases of COVID-19 in any of the centres on the Greek islands, and that life has returned to normal for the local population and tourists alike, these discriminatory measures for asylum seekers and migrants continue to be extended every two weeks.