“Bathrooms are Dirty and Broken: It's Inhumane” – Testimonies from the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre

As we begin the New Year, the living conditions in the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) remain unchanged. The people residing in the camp continue to face the same pressing challenges and are left to cope with the same issues that have persisted for far too long.

Although reception centres like the Samos CCAC are meant to provide shelter and support to people on the move and people seeking asylum, in many ways, they are a direct violation of basic and fundamental human rights.

In light of these ongoing problems, we met with some residents of the CCAC, who shared their thoughts and frustration with unsanitary living conditions, lack of privacy, and inadequate access to essential services. In particular, one of the main concerns raised during our meeting was the inhumane state of the bathrooms in the camp.

“Bathrooms are very dirty and broken, and it feels inhumane,” one resident shared. Although the bathroom facilities are separated by gender, this measure does little to protect the privacy and dignity of those using them. “Many of the bathroom doors are broken, making people feel unsafe and without privacy.” In some cases, residents have resorted to tying the doors shut with strings - a temporary solution that offers little security. Since people feel unsafe and uncomfortable using the bathrooms in the current state they are in, they avoid using them as much as possible. This creates physical and health complications. Additionally, the lack of comfort exacerbates psychological distress, leading to an environment where people feel constantly on edge.

Another serious issue concerning the conditions of the bathrooms is the lack of access to water. “Most of the time, there’s only cold water," a resident explained. "And now they [camp authorities] have even reduced the hours when we can access it." At the time of the meeting, water was only available between 8:00–13:00 and 19:00–20:00*. Moreover, only certain sections of the camp receive some hot water - although in very limited quantities. This uneven distribution fosters a sense of inequality and highlights a broader issue within the camp: an unequal allocation of resources and services.

In this regard, we were also made aware of a significant disparity between different social groups within the CCAC. While families are provided with containers that include private bathrooms, offering some degree of privacy and basic services, single residents - who make up the majority of the camp’s population - do not have access to such facilities. Such disparity becomes even more evident when considering the average number of people per bathroom: a family of 3 to 10 people shares one bathroom, while over 20 individuals are often forced to share a single bathroom. This overcrowding makes maintaining cleanliness and hygiene nearly impossible and leads to long queues and heightened tension. Due to the severe overcrowding affecting the centre since October, many single residents are forced to sleep on the floor in communal areas, with no direct access to sanitation facilities, further complicating their accessibility to hygiene. 

In addition to the inadequate bathroom facilities, residents also face an alarming situation regarding waste management. Despite a private company being responsible for garbage collection, large piles of waste remain scattered throughout the camp. "In some areas, there are small mountains of garbage," one resident highlighted. The uncollected garbage attracts cockroaches, which have made their way into the containers where people sleep and the bathrooms. 

“There is a big problem with cockroaches. They are everywhere,” a resident shared. “We told the camp authorities, but nothing has been done. They should plan disinfection, but they’re not even proving anti-insect spray.” This lack of action on the part of camp management has left residents to cope with the physical and emotional toll of living in such unsanitary conditions. 

Reflecting on these concerns and accounts, we are reminded once again of the urgent need for change. For residents of the CCAC, this is not just an issue of inadequate and poor facilities; it’s a question of their right to live with dignity and safety. The Samos CCAC is a stark example of how current reception centres fail to protect these rights, and it highlights the real-life consequences of flawed policy. With the EU’s new Asylum and Migration Pact set to be implemented in 2026, there is a significant risk that this model of closed-controlled access centres will be expanded across Europe. 

This is why this New Year should be a time of reflection but also a time for action. As a grassroots NGO committed to the rights and well-being of people on the move, we call on both European and Greek authorities and the international community to urgently address these issues. The right to privacy, dignity, and access to adequate sanitation must be upheld for all individuals. 

Our work in the coming year will continue to focus on amplifying the voices of those most affected by these conditions. We are committed to advocating for improved reception and accommodation facilities, better sanitation, and- above all - an environment that treats every asylum seeker in Europe with the dignity and respect they deserve. 

*The times mentioned may have been modified, as they are subject to periodic changes by the CCAC authorities. 

Written by Gaia Polidori, Communications Officer

Edited by Dalia Impiglia, Communications, Fundraising and Advocacy Coordinator