The situation on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos remains calamitous, after this week completely destroyed the Moria “hotspot” for asylum seekers and irregular migrants, all of whom landed on the island after setting off from the opposite Turkish coast.
The olive groves around the camp have been completed decimated, nearby chapels have been vandalized and desecrated and most residences in the vicinity looted, while dozens of camp occupants are now sleeping rough in cemeteries.
Halfway around the world, in commenting on the situation on the Greek island, US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus expressed Washington’s sadness over the fires that consumed the reception and ID center on Lesvos.
She added that United States is coordinating with Greece, the European Union, and humanitarian partners to assess needs.
Ortagus noted that “…We appreciate the government of Greece’s efforts to coordinate with the international and humanitarian communities in order to relieve the suffering of the most vulnerable individuals.”
