Greece moves to ease overcrowding in Lesbos migrant camp

Author: Agencies

Greece said on Tuesday it would move 2,000 asylum-seekers from the island of Lesbos to the mainland by the end of the month as pressure mounted on the government to ease overcrowding.

Human rights groups and local authorities have criticised Greece for the poor conditions at the country’s biggest migrant camp, Moria, currently operating at almost three times its capacity. About 9,000 migrants and refugees are holed up in the camp, a collection of tents and shipping containers in a former military base, according to the latest government data. A local governor threatened to shut it down within 30 days unless authorities clean up uncontrollable amounts of waste.

“The situation in Moria really is difficult,” government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told a briefing. “It really is borderline.” Some 3,000 people were transferred from Moria to the mainland over the summer and another 700 people were moved last week, Tzanakopoulos said. A further 2,000 would be moved by the end of September, he said.

Published in Daily Times, September 19th 2018.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Business

Pakistan Stock Exchange: Index hits new high of 67,208

Pakistan Stock Exchange: Index hits new high of 67,208 The Pakistan Stock Exchange 100 index…

1 hour ago
  • International

America and its allies are afraid of a big and strong Russia: Putin

America and its allies are afraid of a big and strong Russia: Putin Russian President…

1 hour ago
  • International

Grievances by Islamabad High Court judges are worrying: United Lawyers Society UK

Grievances by Islamabad High Court judges are worrying: United Lawyers Society UK The United Lawyers…

2 hours ago
  • Top Stories

Punjab Assembly: Budget 2023-24 approved today, members continue to arrive

Punjab Assembly: Budget 2023-24 approved today, members continue to arrive The budget of 2023-24 will…

2 hours ago
  • Pakistan

SC full court takes into account judges’ letter over ‘meddling’

A full court meeting of the Supreme Court judges was held in the federal capital…

6 hours ago
  • Pakistan

PTI questions credibility of verdicts after judges’ letter

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders associated on Wednesday the letter written by six Islamabad High Court…

6 hours ago