Greece: Fires and COVID-19 caused displacement in Lesvos

This report is an update to initial reporting on the situation on Lesvos (Displacement in Lesvos 22/09/2020) and provides greater detail regarding the risk of COVID-19 in camps. Between 8 and 10 September, fires broke out in three different spots in the Moria Reception and Identification Centre (RIC), Lesvos, resulting in the displacement of more than 12,000 inhabitants.The fire also destroyed a COVID-19 medical facility and interrupted all medical services for the refugees. NGOs have repeatedly raised concerns about the potential for fires in overcrowded camps after a six-year-old girl was killed in Moria and after 200 people were displaced in Samos when part of the camp burned down.