Following a catastrophic fire that broke out on 8 September 2020, the Moria reception and identification centre for asylum seekers and refugees on Lesvos island, Greece, was burned to the ground. Some 12 000 refugees and migrants were left without shelter, food or access to health-care services. With 35 refugees and migrants having tested positive to COVID-19 a few days prior, the situation was particularly urgent, calling for immediate action and coordination.

A few hours after the incident, a team from the WHO Country Office in Greece arrived on the island and started working at the forefront of the response, joining efforts with government and other health actors.

On 11 September, the WHO team on the ground was joined by an expert from WHO/EURO. Together they began supporting the establishment of a central medical area. WHO then created a coordination cell to help with critical public health response activities. 

A total of 22 team members, including medical doctors, nurses and paramedics with different specializations worked with local authorities and health professionals to carry out triage, testing, isolation and treating COVID-19 patients as well as providing medical support to other people in need.

WHO’s work to make this happen ranged from customs clearance for shipments of medical supplies and equipment, organization of their transportation and storage, coordination of initial briefings on security and public health, and provision of Farsi and Arabic interpreters.

WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to the Strategic Preparedness and Response Fund to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.