Check out our monthly project update for February 2025 at Paréa Lesvos
The word ‘paréa’ in Greek means “company, circle of friends”: everyone is welcome in Paréa!
Located within walking distance from the CCAC (Closed and Controlled Access Camp) on Lesvos, our community center Paréa Lesvos offers a safe space where people on the move, locals and internationals can meet and spend time in a peaceful and welcoming environment.
Paréa is run by Europe Cares responsible for the safety, major facility costs, maintenance and development of the center. It is also a home to another 10 civil society organisations: Artists Giving Back, Boat Refugee Foundation, Collective Aid, Leave No One Behind, Makerspace Lesvos, Refocus Media Labs, Refugee Relief Doro Blancke, Sporos Regeneration Institute, TerraPsy, and Yoga and Sport with Refugees. In a time of high political uncertainty and constant withdrawal of support and international attention from Lesvos, our network of partner organisations joined forces to offer people on the move a wide range of services including food and NFI distributions, legal and psychosocial support, education and social care activities. But first and foremost, we offer a sense of community and belonging.
We are one community in solidarity. Will you join us?
View of Mavrovouni Camp from Paréa Lesvos
LESVOS UPDATES
In February, 253 people arrived in Lesvos, while around 792 departed*, bringing the camp population to 2,276. Meanwhile, 5 pushback cases** were reported in the Aegean Sea, involving 157 children, women, and men who attempted to reach safety in Europe.
There has been an increase in the number of people arriving on other Aegean islands, such as Chios, Samos, Crete, and Rhodes. One reason for this trend in recent months is the fear of being caught in a pushback—an illegal practice where Greek maritime authorities and Frontex forcibly return migrants at sea. These pushbacks are more common near Lesvos, so many people try to avoid the island.
Despite this, overcrowding remains a problem in the Lesvos camp. To improve conditions, authorities are trying to limit the number of people per room to six or seven.
Recently, Syrian residents in the camp held a peaceful protest over the freezing of their asylum applications. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December last year, the European Union has stopped processing asylum requests from Syrian nationals. This sudden halt has left many people in legal limbo—unable to move forward with their cases and forced to remain in the camp indefinitely, with no clear answers about their future.
On a positive note, after more than three months of struggling with sanitation issues, there have been some improvements at the Lesvos CCAC. The toilets have been repaired, lighting has been fixed, and clear signage has been added—all essential for creating a safer and more livable environment. Nonetheless, the cold temperature of the showers is a consistent problem.
In other front, the Ombudsam report on the Pylos shipwreck shows that senior officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard failed in their duty during the search and rescue efforts. According to the report, on June 13 and 14, 2023, these officers either acted poorly or did not act at all, putting the lives and safety of those on board the Adriana fishing vessel at serious risk. In simple terms, their mistakes are seen as crimes because they exposed people to deadly danger and risked their health and physical safety.
____________________ UNHCR / *Aegean Boat Report
FEBRUARY IN NUMBERS
Highlight of the month
This month, we offered several sessions of first aid training, thanks to the presence of a trained fire man in the Europe Cares team!
It took place on 4 different days, and covered mainly indications and critical interventions of emergencies such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, strokes, seizures, bleeds, burns, and choking.
Teaching emergency skills to both visitors and staff at Paréa increases awareness and safety within the space and in the camp. Learning first aid not only builds and instills confidence in the learners’ own abilities, but encourages helpful and proactive participation in emergency situations.
Stay tuned for more updates—exciting things are on the horizon!
Faces of Paréa
I am very happy at Paréa. I really like everywhere, especially the Women's Space, where I can relax and dance. I like that I can clean my face and take care of myself here. The volunteers are very nice, I am so happy to be with them. Juri - From Somali
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Meet our partner: Collective Aid
In February, Collective Aid continued its work in Paréa, providing support for asylum seekers and refugees with their clothes distributions. Collective Aid work across Europe, offering essential services and raising awareness about the situation of people on the move.
This month in Paréa, they expanded their efforts to include families with young children, helping to ensure they have access to necessary clothing. In collaboration with other organizations, they worked to reduce the waiting time for new arrivals to receive clothing—from a two-month delay to a quicker response. By addressing these needs, Collective Aid continues to support those living in the camp.
Welcome to our space: Quiet Corner
The Quiet Corner is a dedicated space within the Women’s Space of Paréa, providing a calm and peaceful environment for women to relax. It offers a much-needed place for rest and respite, allowing women to take a break and recharge in a comfortable setting.
This month, the Europe Cares team spent time rearranging and organizing the space to make it even more welcoming for our visitors. By creating a more tranquil atmosphere, we hope to ensure that every woman who steps into the Quiet Corner can fully enjoy the sense of peace and privacy it provides.
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