October 2025

After seeing all these fundamental problems, especially in terms of human rights and asylum procedures, but also the lack of medical and material care, we agreed to focus our resources on these basic needs.

This changed after we met today with the project coordinator and active dancer from HipHop4Hope, which offers dance and graffiti classes in youth shelters for migrants and in front of the camps. She reminded us that hip-hop, as well as dancing, creating art and playing sports, can not only empower people, but also help them to feel visible and closer to themselves and others again. The healing and therapeutic power of the arts, be it music, drawing or movement, holds great potential.

Inspired by this glimmer of hope, we left Athens and drove for an hour to the large refugee camps outside the city. Our first stop was Ritsona, currently the largest camp. NGOs, including us, are not allowed to enter the camp; we could only glimpse the terrible conditions through holes in the wall. Ritsona is located next to foul-smelling chemical factories and has no infrastructure nearby, making access to medical care, food or integration into the community almost impossible. Some NGOs have set up tents in a nearby street to provide basic medical care and safe spaces for women and children.

We later spoke to residents who reported that they were sleeping in dilapidated tents or damaged bungalows – often without mattresses. Dogs run around freely and bedbugs, lice and scabies are widespread. Security staff are said to treat people worse than animals.

We then drove to the Sama Community Center near the two Malakasa camps, which are located far outside Athens. Here, people receive everything that the camp does not offer, or even harms them by not providing washing facilities or food. Other NGOs are present in the community center and offer medical and legal support as well as sports and leisure activities. We often think of the oasis they have created for people on the run.