Kos

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Key statistics for the Kos CCAC

Infrastructure issues and maintenance deficiencies

The sewage and wastewater treatment system struggles to cope when the number of residents exceeds the centre’s capacity, which happens frequently. 

Testimony

“There is sewage in the corridors and rooms near the toilets, which causes blisters on the feet. Most people who go to the hospital have blisters on their feet” - Muhammad*, asylum seeker from Syria

Due to the inadequacy and unfitness of available facilities, parts of the adjacent Pre-Removal Detention Centre within the CCAC complex, as well as dining and restaurant areas, are occasionally used as accommodation.

Low-quality food and lack of basic supplies

There are complaints about the food’s quality and about insufficient potable water compared to what is mandated. Reports of food poisoning have also been recorded.

Testimony

“There isn’t enough food. Usually, we get only pasta, potatoes, and two small pieces of bread. For every two people, we receive three bottles of drinking water a day” - Ahmed* from Kuwait

Shortages extend to food for young children.

Testimony

“Milk is very hard to get, and they only provide it in a glass” - Parwana*, a mother from Afghanistan

Sleeping mattresses are dirty, washing machines do not work, and hygiene items are provided only once upon arrival. There are significant shortages of clothing, even for young children. 

Testimony

“Many children don’t have winter clothes”- Parwana*

Residents are forced to seek even basic supplies, such as soap and sanitary products, from organisations and volunteers in Pyli and Kos town. 

Testimonies

“There isn’t much hot water. Water gets into the buildings. The children have skin problems. There’s a doctor, but often no interpreter. We buy medicines ourselves”- Parwana*

“We sleep six people in a small room with small bunk beds. They never gave us soap. We went to an organisation to get some” - Ahmed*

During this time, there have been increased reports of dermatological issues. Syrian asylum seekers told us that some days the tap water appears cloudy, and they avoid washing with it.

Insufficient medical care and inadequate vulnerability assessments

At the General Hospital-Health Centre of Kos “Hippocrates,” located 15 km from the CCAC, there are significant long-standing shortages in key medical specialties - for instance, no permanent pathologist or cardiologist is available. Only one hospital ambulance is staffed and operational. The hospital faces additional pressure during the summer months due to increased tourist activity. Since August 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been active outside the CCAC, as well as once weekly outside the hospital, providing medical services to both refugees and locals. Additionally, the island hosts a mobile volunteer medical team from Medical Volunteers International (MVI), offering basic emergency care.

Due to the lack of medical staff, the mandated medical screening processes and vulnerability assessments are not conducted. For instance, an asylum seeker with diabetes remained in the centre for about two months without receiving proper medication to manage his condition. In one case legally represented by RSA, no vulnerability assessment was performed for a survivor of torture, even after a formal request by our lawyers.

Restricted freedom of movement, even within the CCAC

There is no direct access for residents to offices handling administrative actions, medical exams, or asylum procedures. Barriers to reaching these offices have been reported, at times delaying critical actions before asylum authorities. Security measures are extremely strict; metal objects are prohibited, with reports including cases where even spoons were not allowed to be brought into the centre. 

Testimonies

“You feel like an animal in a cage. It’s hard to leave or enter the centre. When you want to leave, you must inform an official” - Ahmed*

Incidents of Racist Behaviour

*Names of persons cited in this publication have been changed to protect safety and privacy.

Main report on all the islands

The situation in the CCACs in detail by island:

Available also in greek / Διαθέσιμο και στα ελληνικά

Our previous publication on the situation in Kos (2023)

Refugee Support Aegean (RSA), December 2024