The Greek Migration Ministry has praised the citizens and officials of Ritsona for their cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town, which is located in central Greece, has been designated as a quarantine hotspot due to the high rate of infections among refugees living in its camp. Despite the challenges that this situation poses, the local community has come together to support the refugees and help contain the virus.

Refugee camp becomes a quarantine zone

The Ritsona refugee camp is home to around 2,700 people, most of whom are refugees from Syria and Afghanistan. In March 2020, the camp was designated as a quarantine zone after a woman tested positive for COVID-19.

Since then, the number of cases has risen to over 100, and the Greek government has placed the camp under strict lockdown.

This has presented a range of challenges for the refugees living in the camp, as well as for the local community.

For example, the closure of shops and restrictions on movement have made it difficult for people to access food and other essential supplies. However, despite the difficulties, the people of Ritsona have shown remarkable resilience and solidarity.

Local community supports refugees

The people of Ritsona have rallied around the refugees in their community, providing them with food, medical supplies, and other forms of support.

Volunteers have been working tirelessly to distribute food parcels and other essential items to the residents of the camp, as well as to vulnerable members of the local population.

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The local authorities have also played a key role in supporting the refugees.

According to the Migration Ministry, the mayor of the nearby town of Chalkida has offered his full support to the camp, donating a large quantity of food and supplies to help the residents cope with the lockdown.

Government praises cooperation

The Greek government has praised the people of Ritsona and the local authorities for their response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the refugee camp.

In a statement, the Migration Ministry said that the cooperation between the community and the authorities had been “exemplary”, and that it was this spirit of solidarity that was helping to contain the virus.

The government has also provided additional resources to help support the refugees during the quarantine period.

For example, the Hellenic Army has sent medical personnel to the camp to help with testing and treatment, while the UNHCR has donated hygiene supplies and other essentials.

Conclusion

The situation in Ritsona is a testament to the power of cooperation and solidarity in the face of a crisis.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the local community has come together to support the refugees in their midst, demonstrating that even in difficult times, it is possible to show compassion and kindness to others.