Survivors2 is a self-advocacy group of asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented people who have experienced torture – on this occasion we want to address the Greek government on behalf of ourselves and brothers and sisters living in Greece.
We want to take this opportunity to speak for all asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented people when we remind you that not only does our health matter, and that we have a right to healthcare, but that our health is directly linked with Yours.
The world is facing a pandemic of COVID-19 virus and the Greek government has been doing everything in its power to help prevent the spread of the disease to its citizens. But because we asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented people are not citizens of Greece – we are treated less than human – little has been done to determine how this deadly pandemic might affect the nearly 115,000 asylum seekers and refugees residing here. There are no realistic COVID-19 prevention or response plans for us and our brothers and sisters living in the camps on the islands and mainland. We are worried.
We were forced to leave our countries because of genocide, poverty and torture and now we find ourselves in our ‘new homes’ – in places like Moria camp in Lesvos – that are overcrowded, dirty and restricted access to clean water, toilets and washing facilities. In Moria, we have shared one toilet between more than 250 people – just think of the hygiene levels! Because of our experiences, many of us have poor nutrition, broken immune systems, we lack access to resources such as masks, gloves, antiseptic wipes, and we receive very little information about what is going on about how to protect ourselves. No one is talking about our brothers and sisters living in these kinds of hazardous environments, people who already suffer from limited access to medical care and the medications we need. What are the chances we will survive this pandemic living in these kinds of conditions?
A few days ago, the government issued a statement closing all high-risk areas such as schools, universities, cinemas, bars, and banned all large gatherings in all closed and open areas in order to decrease the risk of the spreading of COVID-19. Everyone is told to stay at home…But what happens if your home is in a camp?
We appreciate and support the government’s strategy of isolation. But we do not understand why that does not extend to us. All people living in Greece no matter their legal status face the same risks – is this not a public health pandemic? All people living in Greece, including us, walk the same streets, breathe the same air, touch the same buttons. One of the key instructions we hear about the coronavirus is you must wash your hands constantly to stop the spread of the disease. How does the government expect us, and those living on the streets and in camps to wash our hands several times a day, when we do not have access to antiseptics, soaps and clean water?
Yes, the government has been brutally marginalising and degrading us for years by forcing us to endure these inhumane camps, but they must understand that the conditions they have created are not safe. The only measures taken by this Government in respect of asylum seekers and undocumented peoples’ access to healthcare up until this point has been to deny us it. And this pandemic is happening against a background of violence and hatred towards asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants and those who support us.
Survivors2 would like to kindly remind the government that we are inhabitants of Greece too, we also have a right to health and should also be protected from this virus, like everyone in Greece - we are worried about our health and health of the whole country.
We are asking for:
- Clear, easy to understand, accurate information and practical advice on how to protect ourselves, delivered in all languages and in a transparent manner. In formats that are accessible also to children and others with special needs.
- The most vulnerable – to be evacuated from the islands to safe places where they can practice all necessary prevention and protection measures, to urgently create isolation capacity on the islands away from the camps in hotels and apartments with all necessary hygiene facilities, and working with refugee, asylum seekers and undocumented people to initiate health promotion among all migrant populations.
- The government to involve us in future discussions regarding decisions/responses that affect us and everyone directly.
- International public health agencies, in partnership with local health authorities, to come to our aid – for everybody’s sake.
