Animated video testimonies of Hamida from Afghanistan and Al Shikh from Sudan, living now in the Closed Controlled Access Centers (CCACs) on Samos island, Greece. They speak about the reasons both fled, the journey itself, the living conditions inside the Greek camps and a wish for the future.

Despite the growing number of arrivals, EU migration policies have become more restrictive, limiting safe pathways for asylum seekers and creating under-resourced conditions in reception centers. As a result, the hardships faced by those fleeing conflict are exacerbated, undermining their rights to safety, protection and dignity. It shows once more that restrictive policies do not prevent people from risking their lives.

Conditions within the Closed Controlled Access Centers (CCACs), on Lesvos and Samos remain inhumane, with a glaring absence of policies to minimize risks to people’s health and well-being, thereby posing significant public health risks. Diseases like scabies and gastrointestinal problems worsen the suffering of vulnerable individuals seeking safety.

Among our patients, we observe a variety of severe incidents and traumatic experiences compounded by the hardships people seeking safety have endured during their journey or upon arrival in Greece. The most common issues are sexual violence, physical violence, torture, incarceration, and kidnapping, along with reports of physical violence by state authorities.

In addition, the harsh conditions in the CCACs and prolonged asylum procedures affect the camp residents’ mental health. The urgent need for adequate and a wide range of healthcare services must be addressed to meet the basic needs and rights of asylum seekers.