For the past five years, Lighthouse Relief (LHR) has offered a dignified humanitarian response on the north shore of Lesvos and Ritsona Refugee Camp on the Greek mainland. In 2020, refugees and asylum seekers in Greece faced unprecedented challenges, with increased tensions on Lesvos and the threat of COVID-19. In August of 2020, we relaunched our in-person psychosocial support activities in Ritsona. As we continue to provide a dignified response, help us to forge a path ahead.
In the past months, escalating tensions on Lesvos and strict restrictions around COVID-19 have forced many NGOs, including LHR, to pause in-person operations in Ritsona and Lesvos, limiting access to vital services for asylum seekers. After months of providing remote support, LHR restarted psychosocial support in Ritsona Camp, but the need for psychosocial support is greater than ever, as residents have faced increased stress and uncertainty.
LHR has provided a warm welcome to new arrivals on Lesvos and safe spaces for children and youth in Ritsona for the past five years. This project will ensure that LHR can sustain our teams as they continue to provide psychosocial support all the while adapting programming to social distancing measures and purchasing vital supplies such as PPE and hygiene materials. In a time when support for vulnerable displaced populations is most needed, this project enables our team to continue providing PSS.
LHR aims to build a humanitarian response that benefits displaced people while supporting local communities. In Ritsona Camp, LHR has a strong basis of trust with residents, carrying out projects that enable children and youth to invest in long-term futures, enhancing resilience so that they can create opportunities and navigate challenges.
