Children found malnourished in Greek migrant camp, MSF charity says
MSF doctors have diagnosed six children from Syria and Afghanistan aged between six months and six years with acute malnutrition needing immediate help, it said.
While it could not say if their malnutrition was due to living in the camp, conditions there — including insufficient food and medical care — endangered their health, MSF said.
'No child should suffer from malnutrition due to systemic neglect,' said Christina Psarra, director general of MSF Greece, calling for immediate action and adding that about a quarter of the camp's residents were children.
The Greek migration ministry said the cases were isolated.
'Under no circumstances is there generalized malnutrition due to living conditions,' the ministry said, adding that asylum-seekers were provided with three meals a day.
On the forefront of Europe's 2015-16 migration crisis, Greece saw a surge in arrivals in 2024, according to UN data. This year, nearly a third of arrivals to southern Europe from the Middle East and Africa were to Greece.
The EU-funded Samos camp, a sprawling, heavily-surveilled facility surrounded by barbed wire, was opened by the government in 2021 to replace the former camp of Vathy — once an overcrowded, rat-infested tent city of 7,000 people.
The six malnourished children arrived this year, MSF said.
Rights group Amnesty International has called conditions at Samos 'inhumane and degrading' during periods of overcrowding, with water shortages and a lack of other basic services.
In December, a UN human rights expert accused Greece of failing to identify victims of sex trafficking in the camp.
MSF called on Greece and the EU to ensure adequate pediatric care and nutritional support in Samos and to restore financial support to asylum seekers suspended last June.
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Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Conflict, climate change fuel Africa's hunger emergency
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At the same time, rising temperatures and increased frequency of floods and cyclones are damaging infrastructure, contaminating water sources, and leaving already vulnerable communities exposed to diseases and hunger. As climate change continues to escalate, the risks to Africa's food security will multiply unless decisive adaptation strategies are implemented. Compounding the effects of conflict and climate change is a profound and persistent economic instability. While food might be available in some markets, skyrocketing prices have made it inaccessible to millions. The impact of global food price inflation has been most severe in Africa, where a large portion of the population lives on less than $2 a day. The result is simple, but devastating: Even when food is available, people cannot afford to buy it. In addition, structural issues, such as poor infrastructure, inefficient food systems, and underinvestment in agriculture, further weaken food security. 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Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
GHF aid distribution sites in Gaza becoming ‘laboratories of cruelty,' says medical charity
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Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
WHO to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaza Health Crisis Critical, Immediate Global Intervention Needed
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The prolonged fuel crisis threatens to shut down ICUs, dialysis machines, oxygen generators, and operating theatres. The most vulnerable, children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly, are bearing the brunt. Thousands of children are being hospitalized monthly with life-threatening hunger-related complications. Meeting these urgent needs requires more than just medical services. It demands sustained access to fuel and supplies, unimpeded movement for humanitarian workers, and at least a minimum operational capacity across health facilities, Balkhy said. The scale of need demands a rapid and large-scale international response, including medical, logistical and financial support. WHO under fire The WHO is facing immense operational challenges in Gaza, with security risks topping the list. On July 21, the agency's staff residence in Deir al-Balah was struck three times, forcing the evacuation of employees and their families under heavy bombardment. One staff member remains in detention, and WHO is calling for his immediate release. Its main warehouse was also damaged and subsequently looted. These threats don't only affect WHO, but also other UN agencies operating in Gaza, Balkhy said, adding that getting medical shipments into the enclave remains difficult due to limited approvals. The restrictions on international medical missions have significantly undermined our response efforts, she said, repeating that 58 medical professionals were denied entry since March. Emergency response underway Despite the dangers, WHO remains on the ground and committed to its operations in Gaza. Since August 1, the agency has delivered 24 trucks loaded with essential medicines, surgical supplies, lab equipment and water testing kits to overwhelmed hospitals. WHO has also helped evacuate 47 patients along with 129 companions to countries including Spain, Türkiye, France, Norway and Jordan. The organization is working to ensure a steady and secure flow of fuel and medical supplies into Gaza. It continues to call for the immediate release of its detained colleague and for the protection of health workers and medical infrastructure, in line with international humanitarian law, Balkhy said. She reaffirmed WHO's commitment to scaling up its response, in cooperation with humanitarian partners, despite the immense challenges on the ground.
