The Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) and Save the Children (SC) have launched a groundbreaking report entitled “It Does Not Feel Like Real Life”: Children’s Everyday Life in Greek Refugee Camps, which highlights the challenges faced by children living in refugee camps across Greece. The study provides an in-depth look into the lived experiences of these children, drawing on 32 interviews with children, their caregivers, and experts, including state officials.
The report reveals the struggles endured by refugee and migrant children, who account for one in four applicants for international protection in Europe. Greece, as a major entry point to Europe, saw over 6,400 refugee and migrant children arrive in the first six months of 2024—a staggering fourfold increase from the same period in 2023. Alarmingly, 86% of these children are under the age of 15.
Many of these children have fled conflict zones such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia, enduring perilous journeys only to face further hardships in restrictive and isolating reception camps. These camps, which are often far from urban centers, severely limit access to education, healthcare, psychosocial support, and opportunities for play—essential components of childhood development.
Despite existing EU and national frameworks designed to protect children’s rights, the report identifies systemic gaps that deprive children in Greek refugee camps of basic necessities and opportunities for integration.
Key Findings:
1. Trapped in isolation: Children’s testimonies reveal a profound sense of isolation in remote camps, where transportation hurdles make it difficult to reach schools, healthcare, and other basic services. This fuels anxiety, frustration, and a deep sense of exclusion.
2. Inadequate mental health and child protection services: Although children are entitled to professional psychosocial and protection support, such services are scarce, leaving vulnerable children unprotected.
3. Healthcare gaps: Severe medical shortages in camps, coupled with too few healthcare staff and limited resources, result in delayed care. Families face long treks for treatment, with lack of interpreters, specialist help, and essential medications jeopardizing children’s health.
4. Poor food quality and access: Camp-provided food is often expired or nutritionally inadequate, leaving many meals uneaten. Suspended cash assistance exacerbates the issue, while cutting food aid for parents whose asylum cases are rejected puts children’s welfare at further risk.
5. Poor living conditions: Mould, cockroaches, and inadequate sanitation facilities are a daily reality for many children, falling far short of mandated standards.
6. Limited access to interpretation services: Severe interpreter shortages since May 2024 have left families in legal limbo, unable to access asylum procedures, healthcare, or essential services. Despite temporary support from the EUAA, ongoing gaps breach Greek and EU asylum laws.
7. Barriers to education access and integration: While some improvements have been made, asylum-seeking children face inconsistent access to
education, with delays and transport barriers hindering enrolment. Social isolation and discrimination further impede integration.
8. Children’s well-being in camp life: Children report feeling lonely, anxious, and bored. The detention-like environment of camps contributes to stress and hopelessness, while sparse child-friendly spaces and limited recreational activities exacerbate frustration. Legal uncertainty further impacts mental health and sense of security.
Read the full report here
