I have been back in Lesbos for a few days now after being away from the field for a year and looking at the #refugeecrisis from a more academic perspective. Here are my first impressions:
#Thread on #refugeesGR in #MoriaCamp
In the 5 years I have been reporting the #refugeesGR crisis in southern eastern Mediterranean, this is the first time I feel scared. Not because people are scary but because the situation is fluid, changes rapidly and there is no plan from higher up - at least a long term plan
People from either side have nothing left to lose because they have already lost everything. #RefugeesGR and locals.
#RefugeesGR have been living in an open air prison, in shameful conditions that will have long term impacts on them. The trauma created but prolonged stagnation is very much disregarded by policy makers.
Moria Locals have every right to be angry because they were forced into a situation they didn't want, they were lied to about initial camp plans and received no support from anyone.
However, their struggle has been taken over and in cases influenced by fascists some of whom were/are active in neonazi activities on the island. When one presents themselves as the brave saviour of your financial and emotional stability and your national pride you will join them
Or at least you won't tell them to leave from the barricades.
The current right wing government seems unable and unwilling to manage the crisis. The destroyed camp, however, works in their benefit as their plan to build prison - like camps will go one step further and their nationalist and fear focuses rhetoric will work to their benefit.
The EU seems unable to manage the crisis. Which is not surprising because the EU could never manage a humanitarian crisis successfully (see Balkans in the 90s)
The fact that they announced they will pay part of the demanded budget to rebuild a camp is concerning. Who will pay for the rest?
This is a European crisis caused by European policies (#EUTurkeyDeal - Hotspot Approach)
In a more geopolitical level, Turkey could potentially gain from this instability in order to receive what they ask from the EU, all they have to do is stop patrolling the waters.
#RefugeesGR and the island of Lesbos will be the ones to endure such a shameful Greek and EU mismanagement if the EU doesn't change its mind about providing safe passage and relocation to people who flew conflict.

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More from @Faloulah

17 Oct 19
Two days ago the Greek government published the new law plan on international protection (asylum) open to public debate. Human rights organisations critisised the limited time they were given to comment on the law due to its length and are asking for an extension. #RefugeesGR
1/
A thread will follow on the main points of reference which have been summarised by @Refugees_Gr and others.
Commentary will follow throughout the day/week 2/
@Refugees_Gr 'Eleven new aspects/concepts have been introduced.

1. Single text containing everything concerning recognition, reception, examination procedure, judicial protection.' 3/
#refugeesGR
Read 20 tweets
30 Sep 19
Latest info from Moria from the NGO worker's assembly also a #thread will follow: 2 fires broke out on Sunday afternoon: one outside which was soon put put and one inside the hotspot for unknown reasons but certainly not because of fights among #refugeesGR. 1/
The second fire started near or inside a container, it spread quickly and it burnt 8 containers completely and 12 in total. 1 #refugeesGR woman and a child are confirm dead but it's highly possible there are more. 2/
#RefugeesGR tried to put out the fire and the police responded with teargas during the time one fire brigade vehicle was entering the camp. This infuriated people who then attacked the vehicle. Confrontariom among rhe poloce and refugees followed. 3/
Read 24 tweets
24 Sep 19
5 year old #refugeesGR child dead in Moria after truck hit a cardboard box he was playing in. politikalesvos.gr/tragiko-dystyc…
Moria is not a place for people. It is overcrowded and doesn't have proper infrastructure. How many children will have to die for #Greece and the #EU to realise that neither the #EUTurkeyDeal works nor the hotspot approach?
I've been reporting on #refugeesGR since Jan 2015 - a little less than 5 years and we've reached to a point, 5 years later that we're still talking about the same things. The conditions in Moria, the winterisation of the camps in the mainland. The lack of capacity in the country.
Read 10 tweets

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