Dire conditions lead to mental health decline in Greek refugee camps

The coronavirus pandemic has lead to a rise in mental health problems among migrants stuck in camps in Greece. That’s according to a study by the International Rescue Committee, the IRC. Some 15 thousand people are currently stuck in overcrowded reception centres on Greek islands. Squalid conditions here are made worse by lockdowns imposed because of the virus. The IRC study found that additional restrictions in movement have worsened symptoms in a range of psychological disorders among migrants. Meanwhile, the number of refugees worldwide keeps growing. This year the UN counted a total of nearly 80 Million refugees globally – an increase of some ten Million. And many of those people have been living as refugees for much – if not all – of their lives.