Greek's Samos Island is 'Weary' of Migrants

Published July 1st, 2019 - 07:26 GMT

Less than two kilometers from the coast of Turkey, Samos is among a handful of Greek islands thrust to the forefront of the migration crisis in 2015.

The refugee camp on the Aegean island of Samos was built for 650 but currently is overflowing with more than 3,000 people fleeing war, persecution, and conflict.

But a few dozen still arrive daily by boat - risking their lives in the process.

Generally, people here are not hostile to the migrants, they are hostile to the government who they feel is responsible for the situation.

The Greek Migration Ministry has struggled for months to alleviate pressure on Samos.

But there is some understanding of the plight of the migrants, who are stuck in deplorable conditions while waiting for their asylum applications to be processed.

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A young migrant girl watches the sunset at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

A mother and daughter pose in front of their makeshift shelter at the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

Migrants prepare tea at the makeshift refugee camp on the island of Samos just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

A migrant walks to take a shower at the makeshift refugee camp above the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

A migrant watches the sea at Samos' island capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

With nearly 9,000 arrivals since the beginning of this year, the situation on the islands is explosive -- especially on Lesbos and Samos -- and the Ministry of Migration is desperate to remove as many people from the camps as possible. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

Migrant youth sit by a local fisherman at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

A young migrant girl watches the sunset at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early.   LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A mother and daughter pose in front of their makeshift shelter at the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
Migrants prepare tea at the makeshift refugee camp on the island of Samos just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A migrant walks to take a shower at the makeshift refugee camp above the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A migrant watches the sea at Samos' island capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
With nearly 9,000 arrivals since the beginning of this year, the situation on the islands is explosive -- especially on Lesbos and Samos -- and the Ministry of Migration is desperate to remove as many people from the camps as possible. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
Migrant youth sit by a local fisherman at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A young migrant girl watches the sunset at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early.   LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A young migrant girl watches the sunset at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A mother and daughter pose in front of their makeshift shelter at the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A mother and daughter pose in front of their makeshift shelter at the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
Migrants prepare tea at the makeshift refugee camp on the island of Samos just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
Migrants prepare tea at the makeshift refugee camp on the island of Samos just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A migrant walks to take a shower at the makeshift refugee camp above the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A migrant walks to take a shower at the makeshift refugee camp above the city of Vathy on the island of Samos early. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A migrant watches the sea at Samos' island capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A migrant watches the sea at Samos' island capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
With nearly 9,000 arrivals since the beginning of this year, the situation on the islands is explosive -- especially on Lesbos and Samos -- and the Ministry of Migration is desperate to remove as many people from the camps as possible. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
With nearly 9,000 arrivals since the beginning of this year, the situation on the islands is explosive -- especially on Lesbos and Samos -- and the Ministry of Migration is desperate to remove as many people from the camps as possible. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
A girl gazes at the makeshift part of the Samos refugee camp, just above the island's capital city of Vathy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
Migrant youth sit by a local fisherman at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos.  LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP
Migrant youth sit by a local fisherman at the city of Vathy on the island of Samos. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

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