Pikpa camp
Pikpa camp or Lesbos Solidarity, was a privately-run refugee camp, located on the Neapoli area near Mytilene, Lesbos. It had a capacity of 100-120 people, though it hosted hundreds more during times of acute need.{{cite web |title=About Pikpa camp |url=https://www.lesvossolidarity.org/en/what-we-do/pikpa-camp |work=www.lesvossolidarity.org |access-date=26 December 2020}} Its aim was to support the most vulnerable refugees who pass through Mytilene: families with children, the disabled, women who are pregnant, and the injured. The camp focused on humanitarian aid and on providing for the various needs of refugees, including food, medical assistance, clothing, and psychological support.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lesvossolidarity.org/en/what-we-do/mosaik-support-center|title=Mosaik Support Center|website=www.lesvossolidarity.org |language=en-gb |access-date=}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.borderline-europe.de/unsere-arbeit/lesbos-anschuldigungen-gegen-pikpa-vom-gericht-zur%C3%BCckgewiesen |title=Lesbos: Anschuldigungen gegen PIKPA vom Gericht zurückgewiesen |trans-title=Lesvos: allegations against PIKPA dismissed by court |access-date=25 May 2021 |website=www.borderline-europe.de}}{{cite web |author=|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2018/07/save-pikpa-refugee-solidarity-camp-on-lesvos-at-imminent-risk-of-closure/ |title=Save PIKPA: refugee solidarity camp on Lesvos at imminent risk of closure |website=www.amnesty.org |date=12 July 2018 |access-date=25 May 2021 |lang=}}
History
The site of the PIKPA village was originally a children's summer camp.{{cite web |title=Greek heroes honoured at 2016 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award ceremony |url=https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/press/2016/10/57f2be864/greek-heroes-honoured-2016-unhcr-nansen-refugee-award-ceremony.html |website=UNHCR.org |access-date=26 December 2020}} In 2012 it was transformed by the Lesvos Solidarity Network (and with the help of local authorities) into "The Village of Altogether"—a safe haven for vulnerable refugees.
In 2016, Lesvos Solidarity registered as an NGO to further organize resources following the growing refugee crisis on Lesbos arising from the March 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. That same year, the UN Refugee Agency recognized a leader of the Pikpa Camp, Efi Latsoudi, with its Nansen Refugee Award.{{cite web |title=History of Pikpa Camp |url=https://www.lesvossolidarity.org/en/who-we-are/history |website=www.lesvossolidarity.org |access-date=26 December 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Court |first1=Alex |title=Greek volunteers receive UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award |url=https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2016/10/57ee19bc4/greek-volunteers-receive-unhcr-nansen-refugee-award.html |website=UNHCR.org |access-date=26 December 2020}}
On 29 October 2020, its threatened sudden closure was at the last minute postponed, although the authorities stated that it would be closed "as soon as possible".{{cite web |author=|url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/28204/greek-authorities-postpone-evacuation-of-pikpa-migrant-camp-on-lesbos |title=Greek authorities postpone evacuation of 'PIKPA' migrant camp on Lesbos |website=www.infomigrants.net |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=25 May 2021 |lang=}} The next day the closure was enforced, and occupants were transferred to the "old" Kara Tepe Refugee Camp.{{cite web |author=|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFk1pH6siB9SwqZqj8panOHqx12vQDKd/view |title=The eviction of Pikpa Open Refugee Camp |website=Lesvos solidarity December 2020 Newsletter |date=December 2020 |access-date=25 May 2021 |lang=}}
See also
Other refugee camps on Lesbos: