The fact that there are very few new arrivals on the island worries us: we know that this means people are stopped on their crossing between Turkey and Greece and never reach the camp ‘on the other side’. People feel uncertain and tense about what may be about to come. Last year already, a move from the current refugee camp, Mavrovouni, to the new ‘Closed Controlled Access Centre’ Vastria was planned. Vastria lies in an isolated area, about 30 kilometers from the inhabited world, in the middle of a protected forest. A permit for a facility that will be used as a refugee camp and many preconditions such as water supply, accessibility and security are lacking. Reports on conditions in similar closed centres on the other Greek islands speak of ‘’actual detention‘’ and inhumane living conditions. 

Due to the many obstacles, it is unlikely that the ministry will succeed in getting the permits and practical framework conditions in place any time soon. Nevertheless, the Greek government once again announced its intention to start using this camp. This, combined with the large number of transfers of people from camp Mavrovouni to the mainland, makes people uncertain and tense. For us, too, this would have a significant impact. It depends on various conditions whether we can provide the care people deserve in a responsible way in such a setting. In addition, it is a trend to keep humanitarian organisations outside the walls of the camps more and more, and thus keep what happens in the camps hidden from ‘the outside world’.

Two colleague organisations, Refugee Legal Support and Mobile Info Team, released the report ‘Voices from the camps: Living conditions and access to services in refugee camps on the Greek mainland’ last week. This report shows how important it is that what happens in the camps is seen. The report shares findings based on interviews with people on the move staying in various camps on the Greek mainland. The reality outlined shows a contrast with European and Greek law. On all fronts, facilities fall short and rights are violated. Also, 72% of those interviewed reported that they did not receive the medical care they needed – due to a shortage of medical staff, translators and medication. In addition, it is made difficult or impossible for organisations to provide care to people in the camps, making the accessibility of healthcare increasingly scarce.

For us, too, in addition to the support we provide, sharing the conditions to which people on the move seeking protection in Europe are exposed is an important part of our responsibility. What happens in the camps must not go unseen; the people staying there must be heard and seen. 

This is realized in a beautiful and moving way in a new book by Marianne van Elst-Sijtsma and Annerieke van Vianen. Two young women who volunteered for an extended period in Mavrovouni refugee camp. In their just-published book ‘Tot aan de overkant’ (On the other side – the book is in Dutch, but the images speak a language of their own), they collected 63 stories and photos of people in the camp, from all over the world. The stories are often devastating, but there is also hope. For a future that will be different and better. Despite everything they go through, people keep hope and dreams. 

Above all, ‘Tot aan de overkant’ is a book about people. People like you and me. Their stories and the photographs bring them close. We need to keep hearing these stories. We need to keep seeing the people. ‘My wish is that you will be open to the stories behind the numbers; dare to think beyond ‘our country is full’. That you get inspired by the stories,’ says Marianne.  

The book, a beautiful edition that does justice to the fantastic photographs, is worth getting. You can have a look at www.totaandeoverkant.nl. Highly recommended. The book and its creators are an inspiration and help us, even in times of setbacks, to continue doing what we do. Because it is about people. 

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