Reaction to fire in Moria Refugee Camp

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A fire has destroyed most of the notorious refugee camp of Moria in Lesbos, Greece. The EU-sponsored ‘hotspot’ camp hosted more than 12,000 people, despite an official capacity of less than 3,000. Reacting to the news, Ruth Tanner, Head of Oxfam’s Humanitarian Campaigns, said:

“The ongoing humanitarian tragedy in the camp and now this devastating fire are an urgent reminder to the UK government that it should be doing its fair share for people fleeing conflict and persecution.

“The UK’s resettlement operations, which were paused due to the pandemic, should be urgently restarted. The UK government needs to provide adequate safe and legal routes for refugees to reach the UK and allow more refugee families to be reunited in safety here.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

  • Spokespeople are available in Athens
  • The facility for unaccompanied children in Moria camp has been completely destroyed. The European Commission announced this morning that the EU would finance the immediate transfer and accommodation on the mainland of the 400 unaccompanied children that still remain on the island.
  • More than 6,000 people have become homeless, as the fires destroyed both parts of the official camp and the tents in the over-spill areas surrounding the camp.

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