Refugee Crisis in Greece

The International Rescue Committee is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Greece, assisting refugees who are arriving on the island of Lesbos or have been stranded at Idomeni camp in north. Most of the refugees have fled the unrelenting civil war in Syria, now in its sixth year.

The Latest

How We Help

The IRC is continuing to improve the living conditions for refugees staying in the Kara Tepe transit camp near the island's capital, Mytilene.
We are delivering clean water, constructing showers and providing sanitation services in Kara Tepe to help prevent outbreaks of disease.
The IRC is providing newly arrived refugees with much needed information about their rights and how to be properly processed by the authorities. We also help arrange transportation from northern Lesbos to Mytilene so that people can travel the 40 mile journey in a safe and organized way.
The IRC has opened a transit center in northern Lesbos, often the first stop for hundreds of exhausted refugees.
IRC aid workers identify the most vulnerable refugees, including children who are travelling on their own and ensure that they are taken proper care of when they reach Mytilene.
The IRC provides specialized services for children, the elderly and for the sick, including baby strollers, wheelchairs, crutches, medical referrals, expedited registration and psychosocial support.
We are calling for an increase in humanitarian aid as Greek officials and local volunteers prepare for a significant increase in the number of refugee arrivals as the weather improves.
The IRC is also assisting Syrian refugees in Serbia, in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as Syrians trapped by the violence inside their country. Read about our regional Syria crisis response.

Aid Worker Updates from Greece

Updates and images from IRC emergency response teams, our partners, and others responding to and reporting on the crisis:

View the story "Refugee crisis on the shores of Europe" on StorifyRefugee crisis on the shores of EuropeThe International Rescue Committee is responding to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis on Europe's southern shores, where thousands of refugees are arriving daily from countries ravaged by conflict. Updates from @theIRC and others responding to and reporting on the crisis in #Lesvos.Storified by International Rescue Committee· Thu, Aug 13 2015 20:38:14 Is the little artist who left this behind really "just a migrant"? Refugees have a right to protection. #Lesvos http://t.co/ju93hGmOeKKate SokolThanks to Emily David @theIRC for showing @ecre & @VluchtelingWerk the reality in #refugee camps #Lesvos #Greece http://t.co/ZpxIO1xnWaECRE

Video: Syrian Voices from Greece

Aug 11, 2015 10:01 PM EDTThree Syrian refugees who made their way to Lesbos, Greece describe their harrowing experiences in Syria and why they had to leave.
Syrian Voices from GreeceInternational Rescue CommitteeSad art in Kara Tepe transit camp. An inflatable crocodile rests in an olive tree. #refugees #Lesvos #TheIRC http://t.co/Tl7oIMkNjBSimon Clarke"Anything is better than the misery they’ve left behind." @TylerJump reports from #Lesvos #Greece http://t.co/DWRwmUQgeZIRC Intl Rescue CommImproving conditions so refugees can have some comfort & dignity. @theIRC in #Greece video: http://t.co/hZW82kx4XDDavid MilibandBack from Kara Tepe camp with @kathrynsokol in a rain storm. As wet if I'd had a bath. Change of clothes. Refugees aren't as lucky. @TheIRCSimon ClarkeThinking of the refugees with only an olive tree between them and the heavy rain that's started in #Lesvos #GreeceKate SokolDark thunder clouds forming over #Lesvos. Heavy rain for lots of refugees without shelter won't help. @theIRCSimon ClarkePicking up trash yesterday in Kara Tepe camp in #Lesvos, and barely got the bag open before several refugees came to ask if they could help.Kate SokolThe IRC's Simon Clarke in #lesbos as we help thousands of refugees fleeing war - watch now https://t.co/ASP45gvAgF http://t.co/DMxGUAORpLIntnl Rescue Comm UK“There's no life in Syria. People are killed every day.” Mohammed's story, from Greece: http://t.co/vky6TC9weX http://t.co/ovEV5LRPaqIRC Intl Rescue Comm

VIDEO: Refugee crisis unfolding on Greek shores

Aug 5, 2015 9:45 AM EDTWith Europe facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis on its southern shores, the International Rescue Committee sent an emergency team to the Greek island of Lesbos where 1,000 refugees are arriving daily from countries ravaged by conflict. The IRC's emergency deputy field director, Simon Clarke talks about our response.Lesbos, GreecetheircThe two realities of life on Lesbos #Greece, from @theIRC: http://t.co/1n31R9gap6 http://t.co/2XRFHusZYmDavid MilibandWhy is much of world pretending not to notice the #refugee crisis in #Mediterranean? @theIRC is there. Need is dire. http://t.co/kDujH2S1ttLucy CarriganTwo children in Kara Tepe transit camp, in Lesbos, #Greece.