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Abandoned & Neglected: Report on Failure to prepare for a COVID-19 Outbreak in the EU Hotspot Vial

COVID-19 presents unique challenges for refugees and asylum seekers. For those living in the EU Hotspot Vial, basic protective measures such as social distancing and frequent hand washing are simply inaccessible.

The pandemic poses the gravest threat to Vial’s most vulnerable residents. We have been working to address this crisis by filing cases in front of the European Court of Human Rights requesting that the state transfer particularly vulnerable residents to appropriate accommodation. A list of those cases can be found here.

A recent report we wrote concluded that Vial is not prepared for a COVID-19 outbreak. Critical shortages of water, sanitary facilities, and medical services remain; elderly and immunocompromised individuals continue to live in the camp without proper areas to isolate, and overcrowding makes social distancing impossible.

The full report on conditions in Vial during COVID-19 can be found here.

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The German-Greek human rights organisation Equal Rights Beyond Borders assists refugees in Greece and across the globe: We provide legal support to fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in refugee camps, along the borders, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local volunteers, we strive for responsible solutions. We work toward successful integration and family reunification.