Frustration spreads among the masses
Minister of social affairs and health, Mrs. Hanna Mäntylä, visited the reception center of Skaramangas in Greece. The ministerial delegation was accompanied by Ms. Petra Tammisto who is currently working at the Embassy of Finland in Athens.
The speedy highways and dusty roads lead the ministerial delegation to the reception center at Skaramangas. Located eight kilometers from Piraeus port on the west coast of Athens, the center comes across as rugged and primitive at first sight.
The landscape is saturated by beige sand fields densely covered in white containers. Anxiety fills the air as we enter through the gates of the reception center.
Among the 2 900 asylum-seekers currently residing at the center there is a common sense of frustration. This is enforced by the people voicing: "We do not want to stay here".
The wish to continue their journey to Central Europe is urgent as many have family members there.
Aspirations for a sense of home
The facilities at Skaramangas are of high standard compared to the other close to 40 reception centers in Greece. Yet it feels far from homely.
The center is highly organized with prefabricated container houses for families and separate ones for individual men, women and children. The majority of the residents are Syrians (80 %) while the rest are Afghans (15 %) and Iraqis (5 %).
Entering into the housing area I am kindly invited into a Syrian family's home. Although small in size, 10 m2, there is space to inhabit a family of five. The container also includes a bathroom shared by two families.
Despite its good condition, the center is commonly regarded as a temporary arrangement. Most of the people have been stranded in Greece for months. The number of asylum-seekers in the country amounts to over 54 000: 46 000 in-land and 8 000 on islands.
As the center has been in operation for just over a month it still lacks in homeliness. Unlike other reception centers, Skaramangas is surprisingly void.
No children playing soccer on the sand fields, no education or food preparation facilities exist. Although these services are being designed, it will take time for operation to begin.
Food supply and support in place
As with accommodation there are no deficiencies in food supply. During breakfast hour people line up in a structured manner to get their family-basket of fruits and croissants.
Similarly for lunch and dinner there is a precooked meal comprising of vegetables and soup. Despite no shortages in food supply, difficulties are brought about by the inhabitants' differing eating habits.
In addition to UNHCR, other organisations such as the Hellenic Navy, Doctors without borders and the Hellenic and Spanish Red Cross are present at the center providing both alimentary and medical-support.
Migration from the Finnish perspective
Our presence at the reception center raises high interest among the asylum-seekers. The massive push of people around the delegation creates a sense of anguish.
Ending the three-day trip to Athens with the visit to Skaramangas, mixed feelings arise when leaving the center behind. What is left lingering is both anxiety and a sense of hope.
Petra Tammisto studies at Aalto University School of Business and is currently doing an internship at the Embassy of Finland in Athens.
Text and photos: Petra Tammisto