Greece struggling to move thousands of migrants from muddy tent city
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 March 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Greece struggling to move thousands of migrants from muddy tent city, 12 March 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdfe22b.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 12, 2016
Greece is struggling to move thousands of migrants trapped near the border with Macedonia, as an outbreak of Hepatitis A threatened a large-scale health crisis.
More than 12,000 people, including thousands of children and babies, have been living in a muddy tent city near the northern border town of Idomeni.
They're hoping to cross the border, but Macedonia and other nearby nations have closed their frontiers.
The AFP news agency reported that some 200 migrants protested against conditions at the camp on March 12, chanting "open the border" and sitting on a cross-border railway line
Authorities have handed out leaflets in Idomeni, urging migrants to move to buildings and hospitality centers across Greece.
Greek health official told Reuters that a nine-year old Syrian girl had been diagnosed with Hepatitis A; another case was reported on March 11.
The European Union and Turkey this week agreed on a controversial plan that would see migrants sent back from Greece to Turkey.In exchange, the EU would resettle Syrian refugees from Turkish camps in a "one for one" swap.
With reporting by AFP, Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
