MSF and Greenpeace Launch Rescue Operations in the Aegean Sea

BRUSSELS/ATHENS—The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and environmental organization Greenpeace launched a joint operation to rescue people risking their lives on the dangerous sea crossing between Turkey and Greece, the organizations announced today.

MSF and Greenpeace teams are using three rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) based on the northern coast of Lesbos in coordination with the Greek Coast Guard. MSF medical teams are also on standby at landing sites to provide emergency care for people in critical condition and to ensure timely referrals to the hospital by three MSF ambulances, boosting the efforts of volunteer groups already providing assistance to people crossing to the Greek islands.

"Horrified by the unabated refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, we were compelled to act in whatever way we could," said Alexandra Messare, Greenpeace Greece's program director. "Fleeing conflict, poverty, and human rights abuses in their countries of origin in the hope of a better life is not a crime. We believe that those with the capacity to help should do whatever they can. We have brought our maritime experience to this collaboration with MSF in the hope of saving lives."

Since November 28, MSF and Greenpeace teams have assisted hundreds of people, dozens of them from boats in obvious distress. On land, MSF medical teams have assisted 20 people for critical health issues, nine of whom were taken to hospital for specialist care.

In the coming days, MSF plans to provide three more RHIBs to further expand rescue capacity on other islands. Teams will help people in distress in boats and provide medical assistance once they land. MSF stresses that safe long-term solutions must be found for people making the journey to Europe.

"Our activities in the Aegean are only a temporary solution to mitigate the suffering and loss of life we have seen in recent months," said Marietta Provopolou, general director of MSF Greece. "As the weather conditions worsen and the sea becomes even more dangerous, we know there will be new tragedies at sea."

Despite deteriorating weather conditions as winter approaches, up to 140,000 people crossed from Turkey to the Greek islands in November alone, with 65 percent landing on Lesbos, according to UNHCR figures. Since September, 330 people, most of them children, have lost their lives in the Aegean Sea while attempting to reach Europe.

MSF medical teams on Lesbos have conducted 10,169 medical consultations since July, 6,154 of them in the past two months. Since October, teams have seen rising numbers of people suffering from respiratory tract infections and hypothermia, linked to the increasingly rough seas and cold weather.

Europe must stop shunning its responsibilities and provide safe and legal passage to people in search of safety, said Stefano Argenziano, MSF's operations coordinator.

"It is unacceptable that the main way to access international protection in Europe involves risking one's life at sea—especially when allowing access to the EU via Turkey's land border could prevent deaths," said Argenziano. "The EU and its member states must ensure a dignified and safe reception for migrants and refugees on the land border between Turkey and Greece."

MSF is providing medical and psychological assistance to people arriving on the islands of Lesbos and Samos and on the Dodecanese islands. On Lesbos, MSF is providing transport for the new arrivals from the northern coast to the registration center, setting up and giving assistance in Matamados transit center, and providing medical care in the reception centers of Kara Tepe and Moria. In Samos, MSF teams do a medical screening and care for newly arrived people, provide transportation, food, and essential relief  at the port of Vathy and in the reception center. In the Dodecanese islands, MSF is running mobile clinics and providing psychological first aid to the victims of the shipwrecks. Since the beginning of its operations in the Greek islands, MSF teams have provided more than 22,100 medical consultations.  

Learn More About MSF's Work in the Mediterranean