In Greece, a medical organization has revealed that six young children residing in a migrant camp on the island of Samos are experiencing malnutrition. This marks the first instance of such a diagnosis since the facility’s inception in 2021. The Greek division of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) made this announcement, stating that their medical personnel identified the children, aged from 6 months to 6 years, suffering from moderate to severe acute malnutrition. Urgent medical attention is required for these children.
Christina Psarra, Director General of MSF Greece, highlighted the lack of sufficient pediatric care, not only within the confines of the facility but throughout the entire island of Samos. The camp is home to a significant number of children, accounting for about 25% of its population.
The affected children, originally from Afghanistan and Syria, had arrived at the camp alongside their families within the past two to three months. Psarra explained that although it was unclear if these children were malnourished prior to their arrival, the camp’s living conditions have undoubtedly intensified their situation. She noted the limitations of the meals provided at the camp, which do not meet the nutritional needs for young children.
Compounding the issue, a financial aid previously available to asylum seekers in Greece ended nine months ago. This stipend had been crucial for purchasing fresh groceries and other essentials. Psarra pointed out that the regimented setup of the camp, funded by the European Union and positioned on a hillside not far from Samos’s main port, replaced an overcrowded settlement situated on the edge of the town.
The facility has a capacity of 3,664 people, but as of Monday, it was accommodating 3,176 migrants. Guarded by law enforcement and private security, the camp has been criticized by rights organizations for its dire conditions, such as inadequate sanitation and lack of running water. The arduous journeys endured by these children, combined with the camp conditions, have worsened their health outcomes. Psarra emphasized that these children have already faced extreme adversity during their migration.
Samos, as part of Greece, finds itself along a frequented migration path for those escaping conflict and poverty from regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Many migrants risk the dangerous sea crossing from Turkey to Greek islands in precarious dinghies. Just last week, a tragic incident occurred near Lesbos, another Greek island, where an inflatable vessel sank, claiming the lives of seven individuals, including three children. However, 23 survivors were rescued and taken to a migrant camp on Lesbos.