Relief for Refugees in Greece's Largest Camp

Lighthouse Relief established a presence in Ritsona in 2016, with the aim of providing dignified psychosocial support. Our inviting cluster of cheerfully decorated ISO containers and outdoor areas stand as a beacon of hope and light amidst mostly drab surroundings. As safe spaces to gather, play, learn, Lighthouse has created a place where children can be children, and the whole community can partake in activities to regain a semblance of normalcy. 

Now in spring of  2022, needs in Ritsona are greater than ever. Recent arrivals to camp include higher percentages of unaccompanied children, single mothers, and survivors of gender violence or discrimination, including people who identify as LGBTQI+. Only 1,000 out of 2,600 residents receive food. Lighthouse Relief is trying to adapt to meet these urgent needs. Currently, 38% of the 2,600 residents are children and the majority come from Afghanistan (33%) and Syria (32%). Over the past year, circumstances in the camp have deteriorated: children have had little access to school due to bureaucratic delays, crowded classrooms, transportation issues, and COVID-19 disruptions. A high, prison-like wall has been erected around the perimeter of the camp, fostering stress and anxiety. One-third of residents have neither access to food nor cash assistance as a result of recent policy changes. Tensions are rising as a result of increasing hardship (if you are interested in learning more about recent developments impacting the lives of people seeking refuge in Greece, please read the section at the end of this report). 

Your generosity has sustained our presence in camp, whilst allowing our activities to evolve according to changing needs and circumstances, and we thank you! 

Here is a summary of our programmes and what we have achieved with your support since the start of 2022:

1. Lighthouse Youth and Community Centre (formerly known as YES) - A welcoming drop-in space for residents aged 15+ to drink tea and make use of foosball, musical instruments, sewing machines, a multilingual library, etc., and take part in workshops ranging from guitar to photography to English. Every day we welcome an average of 38 residents into our space. Our attendance remains steadily high as people appreciate the opportunity to jam together using guitars and keyboards, compete for the Ritsona Chess Champion title or organise an impromptu volleyball match

2. Little Lighthouse - A child-friendly space that runs an informal daycare for 3-4 year-olds, where they can develop social skills, gain exposure to multiple languages, and learn how to regulate their emotions through play. Everyday, an average of 22 children visit the Little Lighthouse to take part in an array of early childhood development activities, including how to use scissors as part of arts and crafts, song and dance through musical chairs and circle time activities which help children understand their own emotions (“show me your sad face,” “show me your happy face,” “show me your surprised face”). And of course, they kept on singing “Baby Shark” together!

3. Lighthouse Sports - Football, basketball, volleyball, and more as a vehicle for physical exercise, stress relief, and confidence-building for kids 5-14. Younger children play games designed to instil values of gender equality and respect for others and also learn healthy hygiene habits such as hand-washing and teeth-brushing. Since the start of 2022, an average of 18 children attend daily sports sessions. 

Dignity and respect for the equal rights of all people guide everything that we do. This is reflected in our commitment to always listen to those we endeavour to support, and ensure that they are equal partners in our activities. Our goal is for people with relevant lived experience to serve in leadership positions. Accordingly, our project teams include volunteers from the community we support, who serve as integral members of the Lighthouse team. Community Volunteers receive training in useful skills from conflict de-escalation to CPR, as well as support for professional development.

Thank you sincerely for standing in solidarity with people fleeing conflict, disaster and persecution. We are grateful to count you among our loyal supporters.

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Overview  of recent changes affecting refugees and asylum seekers in Greece:

New arrivals on the mainland, Crete and Rhodes currently have no way to register their asylum claim, leaving thousands of people with few avenues to access legal protection, medical support, housing or food. Gates and surveillance technologies are being installed around walled-off camps, the final step in creating closed, prison-like camps across Greece that will restrict residents’ freedom of movement. The amount of cash assistance that certain categories of asylum seekers receive every month has also been reduced to €75 (meanwhile most receive zero). Food insecurity continues to be a devastating issue for residents of Ritsona - in February 2,600 people resided in Ritsona, of whom 1,600 were considered “ineligible” for food distributions. Government accommodations, including the ESTIA II programme which housed vulnerable asylum seekers, has been reduced and will be phased out by the end of this year. In January, the worst snowstorm in 14 years hit the Athens metro area, leaving thousands of people living on the streets and in low-quality housing in need of emergency warm shelter, winter clothes and blankets. In Ritsona, the snowstorm left the entire camp without electricity and potable water for some days.