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Rats, garbage piles, bed bugs - all of this is normal for the approximately 7,500 refugees who have to endure in the refugee camp on Samos. They hardly have access to toilets or medical care, coughing or the crying of babies comes from almost every tent. (Read a report here on the government's deterrence policy.)
Most asylum seekers are not allowed to leave the island until their asylum application has been decided. The camps on Samos and Lesbos in particular have long been a symbol of Europe's hard-heartedness. The situation becomes life-threatening in winter. The authorities leave the refugees to themselves; they prepare for the cold, the snow and the rain - as best they can.
An asylum seeker receives 90 euros from the UN refugee agency on Samos, many invest the money, buy wooden slats and build small houses where they want to keep their families warm.
Impressions from a European refugee camp in which most asylum seekers have long given up hope of help from the authorities.
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Surviving in the camp: How refugees prepare for winter in SamosThis contribution is part of the Global Society project, for which our reporters report from four continents. The project is long-term and is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
What is the Global Society project?
Reporters from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe will report under the title Global Society - about injustices in a globalized world, sociopolitical challenges and sustainable development. The reports, analyzes, photo series, videos and podcasts appear in the SPIEGEL policy department. The project is long-term and has been supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for over three years.
Is the journalistic content independent of the foundation?
Yes. The editorial content is created by the Gates Foundation without influence.
Do other media have similar projects?
Yes. Major European media such as "The Guardian" and "El País" have developed similar sections with "Global Development" and "Planeta Futuro" on their news pages with the support of the Gates Foundation.
Have there already been similar projects at SPIEGEL ONLINE?
In recent years, SPIEGEL ONLINE has already implemented two projects with the European Journalism Center (EJC) and the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The "Expedition Tomorrow" about global sustainability goals and the journalistic refugee project "The New Arrivals" several award-winning multimedia reports on migration and flight have emerged.
Where can I find all publications on global society?
The pieces can be found at SPIEGEL ONLINE on the topic page Global Society.