UNHCR concerned over refugee conditions on Greek islands
ATHENS, Greece — The United Nations refugee agency urged Greek authorities Friday to quickly move asylum-seekers to the mainland from overcrowded facilities on Greek islands, saying conditions remain bad and expressing concern over a predicted cold weather snap.
UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said in Geneva that conditions at many sites “remain very poor” despite improvement efforts.
“The need for better protection will become all the more acute this weekend when temperatures on the islands are expected to drop. We are worried,” Edwards said, according to a summary of his statements.
More than 15,500 migrants or refugees are stuck on Greek islands. On Lesbos, 5,537 people were crammed into facilities designed for 3,500, while in Samos 1,944 people were in facilities built for 850, according to Greek government figures.