The Greek island of Lesvos has long been one of the main entry points to Europe for migrants and asylum seekers, due to its proximity to the Turkish coast. In 2015, this became especially visible as the number of arrivals grew significantly. That year alone, over 500,000 people arrived on the island, making Lesvos a focal point of migration routes into Europe. During that year and in the years that followed, thousands continued to reach the island. Until 2020, Moria camp served as the main reception and identification center.
In 2020, a fire led to the closure of Moria camp, leaving thousands of people without shelter. Mavrovouni camp was created in response to this emergency. To this day, access to stable and reliable healthcare remains limited, for both those living in the camp and the local population.
That same year, Crisis Management Association (CMA) was established. After assessing needs on the ground, we saw that healthcare services on the island were overstretched. By setting up clinics directly inside the camp, CMA aimed to ease pressure on local hospitals while making care more accessible to residents.
From the beginning, CMA has focused on working alongside the community, by hiring local staff, collaborating with Greek healthcare providers, and welcoming professionals from around the world to build a diverse and inclusive team.
