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Malnutrition Diagnosed Among Children in Samos Migrant Camp
ATHENS, Greece – A medical charity operating in Greece has reported diagnosing malnutrition in six young children residing at a migrant facility on the eastern Aegean island of Samos. This marks the first such diagnosis by the organization’s physicians since the center’s establishment in 2021. The concerning findings highlight the precarious conditions within the Samos migrant camp and raise alarms about child welfare among asylum seekers.
MSF Reports Acute Malnutrition Cases
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Greece disclosed on Monday that their medical personnel identified the children, ranging from 6 months to 6 years old, as suffering from moderate to severe acute malnutrition. The charity emphasized that these cases necessitate prompt medical attention.
Insufficient Pediatric Care
Christina Psarra, Director General of MSF Greece, stated in a press release that children constitute approximately 25% of the migrant camp’s inhabitants. She stressed that “pediatric care remains insufficient, not only within the center but on the entire island of Samos,” indicating a broader systemic issue affecting child health in the region’s migrant facilities.
Origins and Camp Conditions
According to Psarra, the six children originated from Afghanistan and Syria and arrived at the Samos camp with their families within the preceding two to three months. While it remains uncertain whether the children were already malnourished upon arrival, Psarra informed The Associated Press that “definitely the conditions in the camp have made things more difficult and have had an aggravating effect,” suggesting the camp environment is worsening pre-existing vulnerabilities.
Ministry of Migration and Asylum Response Pending
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum has acknowledged the claims made by MSF and indicated that a response would be issued later on Monday. This situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny of living conditions and healthcare provisions within Greek migrant camps.
Dietary Concerns and Stipend Severance
Psarra elaborated that while meals are provided to residents of the EU-funded migrant camp, the provided diet “is not nutritious for children of this age.” She further explained that the cessation of a stipend for asylum seekers in Greece nine months prior has contributed to the problem. This stipend previously enabled migrants to supplement their diets with fresh food and acquire essential supplies, the removal of which has negatively impacted their nutritional well-being in the Samos facility.
Samos Migrant Camp: “Closed Controlled Access Center”
The migrant camp in Samos, officially designated as a “closed controlled access center,” is funded by the European Union. Constructed in 2021 on a hillside roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Vathy, the island’s main port, it was intended to replace a severely overcrowded informal camp that had emerged on the outskirts of the town. The current formal camp is designed to offer improved conditions and controlled access.
Camp Population and Security
The Samos facility has a designated capacity for 3,664 individuals. As of Monday, government figures indicated that it was accommodating 3,176 people. The camp is under the supervision of both police and private security personnel, reflecting its status as a controlled environment.
Exacerbated Medical Vulnerabilities
Psarra highlighted that the diagnosed children had already endured arduous journeys to reach Samos. She asserted that the conditions prevailing inside the camp are likely compounding their pre-existing medical vulnerabilities, leading to the malnutrition diagnoses. This underscores the cumulative impact of displacement and inadequate living conditions on vulnerable populations in migrant camps.
Reports of Dire Camp Conditions
Human rights organizations have consistently documented concerning conditions within the Samos migrant camp, citing issues such as inadequate sanitation and a scarcity of potable water. These reports corroborate MSF’s findings and paint a grim picture of daily life for camp residents, particularly children and other vulnerable individuals.
Children’s Plight Emphasized
“They are children who have been through painful journeys. They have had many difficulties in arriving,” Psarra reiterated regarding the malnourished children in Samos. She concluded, “The conditions in the camp make it even worse,” emphasizing the detrimental effect of the camp environment on the health and well-being of already vulnerable children.
Migration Routes and Recent Tragedy
Greece is situated along a primary entry route into the European Union for individuals fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Many undertaking this migration embark on perilous, short sea crossings from the Turkish coastline to nearby Greek islands like Samos, frequently utilizing small, unsafe inflatable boats. The inherent dangers of these journeys were tragically highlighted last week when at least seven individuals, including three children, perished near the Greek island of Lesbos after their inflatable boat capsized. Twenty-three other individuals survived the incident and were subsequently transferred to a migrant camp on Lesbos.