“People Are Left to Sleep on the Floor, Without Blankets” - Voices from the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre
Little to no heating, a lack of blankets, and unsanitized water are just a few of the daily challenges faced by people living in the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC).
Last week, we spoke with members of our community who shared their thoughts and personal experiences on this unbearable situation. Their stories reveal the harsh realities of life in the camp.
Living conditions in the CCAC paint a clear picture of neglect and hardship. While some rooms are equipped with heating, many are not. “In some rooms, the heating works, but in others, it doesn’t. We’ve asked to repair the heating in our room, but no one has come yet,” one resident shared with us.
For new arrivals, the situation is especially challenging. “People newly arrived at the CCAC are left to sleep on kitchen floors without blankets, using only cardboard from restaurants,” another resident explained. “Everyone is confined to one space, with no privacy at all,” they added. This lack of privacy poses a significant threat to more vulnerable individuals, such as minors or single traveling women.
The lack of clean water is another serious issue. “There’s no hot water, and the little water we have is dirty. Washing in these conditions damages our hair and skin, posing serious risks to our health,” a resident said. “Sometimes there’s no water at all.”
On top of all this, winter has brought more challenges. “It’s raining so much now, and the rooms in some sections are flooding,” someone told us. “It’s a mess.”
Despite these conditions, people are finding ways to get by. “We try to do sports and move our bodies to keep warm, or we sit in the sun when it’s out,” one resident explained. “Sometimes, we share blankets with others.” These acts of resilience and solidarity highlight the strength of the community, but they also underscore the unacceptable gaps in support.
As we mark Human Rights Week, we are reminded of the universal principles enshrined in international law, such as the right to dignity, adequate living conditions, safety, and access to water and sanitation. Yet, for those residing in the CCAC, these rights still remain unmet.
The camp currently does not provide clothes or warm materials to support the newly arrived residents, except for ‘emergency’ cases. However, the criteria for such emergencies remain unclear, and many are left without essential items. This lack of support is a clear violation of human rights, as outlined by the EU Directive on Reception Conditions leaving people exposed to cruel and dehumanizing conditions.
As a grassroots NGO, we are working to try to fill these gaps. We provide winter clothes and other essential Non-Food Items (NFIs) to help our community stay warm during the cold season. At the start of December, we launched our Choose Your Warmth 2024 campaign to ensure we can cover the costs of our much-needed winter clothes distribution and bring a sense of comfort and dignity to the island’s displaced communities.
However, the burden placed on grassroots NGOs like Samos Volunteers is immense. We are stepping in to meet a need caused by government inaction, ensuring that people have some protection from the weather every winter. But it’s not enough. This isn’t just a logistical challenge; it’s a matter of fundamental human rights.
This Human Rights Week, we want to shine a light on these critical and often overlooked issues. By amplifying the voices of those affected, we can raise awareness about their urgent need for support and advocate for change.
No one should have to endure such inhumane conditions. Together, we can demand action, foster solidarity, and work toward a future where everyone’s basic human rights are respected and upheld.
Written by Gaia Polidori, Communications Officer
Edited by Dalia Impiglia, Communications, Advocacy and Fundraising Coordinator