Six young children in the Samos migrant camp have been diagnosed with moderate to severe malnutrition. The group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) confirmed these are the first such cases since the camp opened in 2021. The children are between six months and six years old and came from Afghanistan and Syria. MSF said they all need urgent medical help.
MSF health workers checked the children after they reached Samos. They found each child in very poor health. Christina Psarra, head of MSF Greece, said help for kids in the camp is badly needed. Children make up one-fourth of the camp’s population, yet no proper medical services exist for them.
Bad Conditions Make Things Worse
Most families had already gone through a long, dangerous journey before reaching Samos. Psarra said that the trip was hard on the children. Once they arrived, the camp’s poor conditions made things even worse. The meals are not made for small children. They do not give enough energy or key nutrients.
In addition, the Greek government stopped monthly money for asylum seekers nine months ago. That means families cannot buy fresh food, milk, or other basic things. Human rights groups have also raised alarms about poor hygiene in the camp. The water supply is limited and not always clean. This raises the risk of sickness, especially for young children.
Camp Nearly Full and Tightly Controlled
The Samos migrant camp is located eight kilometers from the town of Vathy. The camp was built with money from the European Union. It can hold 3,664 people. Today, it has about 3,200 residents. The camp has tall fences and is watched by police and private guards. Critics say the camp feels more like a prison than a shelter. This adds stress for people already escaping war and poverty.
Migrants Face Danger at Sea
Many migrants cross the sea in small, unsafe boats to reach Greek islands like Samos. These boats are often overcrowded and not strong enough for open water. Last week, seven people died near Lesbos when their boat sank. Three of them were children. Another 23 people were rescued and taken to a nearby camp.
Greece continues to be a main entry point into Europe for migrants fleeing war and hardship. But once they arrive, they face hard lives in camps and long waits for asylum.
MSF Demands Action Now
Doctors Without Borders is urging the Greek government and EU to act now. They want better food, cleaner water, and medical care for children in camps. Psarra said more kids will get sick or die if nothing changes.
“These children are the most at-risk group,” Psarra said. “We must move fast to stop this crisis from growing.”
Lack of food harms children in many ways. They may stop growing. Their brains may not develop well. They also get sick more often. Even a short time without the right food can cause damage that lasts a lifetime. Doctors warn that the effects can be deep and long-lasting.
Loss of Financial Support Makes It Worse
When the government cut monthly aid, many families lost their only way to buy fresh food. The food provided in the camp is not enough. Families now depend fully on camp supplies. Many say they cannot meet their children’s needs. This makes the risk of malnutrition even higher.
Groups like MSF say closed camps far from towns do more harm than good. People in the Samos camp are far from help, schools, or other services. Security is tight, and families feel trapped. This affects their mental health. It also makes it harder for aid groups to do their job.
MSF Keeps Providing Help
Even with these problems, MSF is still working in the camp. Their teams offer medical care and speak out about what they see. They want the public and leaders to know that changes are needed. They also ask for more global help to improve camp life and speed up asylum cases.
The discovery of malnourished children in Samos is a clear warning. The food is not enough. The water is not clean. The care is missing. Without action, more kids will suffer. Groups like MSF say time is short. Leaders must act now to stop a deeper crisis.