The fire on 11 November affected part of the Registration and Identification Center in Vathy, Samos island. © UNHCR Greece
“The fire that broke out this morning in the Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) at Vathy on Samos island was extinguished thanks to the swift response of the Fire Brigade and emergency responders.
A registration of affected shelters is currently underway. UNHCR and partners are supporting the authorities to cover the needs of the affected asylum seekers and to provide them with tents and household items like blankets, sleeping mats and other supplies. An estimated 500 to 600 persons are in the process of receiving emergency assistance.
A number of residential containers, a pre-fabricated warehouse containing relief items and some makeshift shelters were destroyed in the fire. The site’s daily food catering services will continue from an alternative location as the food distribution hangar was destroyed.
The total population of the Vathy centre is more than 3,900, most of whom reside just outside the grounds of the formal RIC facility which was affected by this morning’s blaze.
An investigation by the authorities was initiated to ascertain the cause of the fire. UNHCR continues to support the transfer of people from Samos and the other Aegean islands to the mainland to help reduce the number of residents at these sites.”
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