Lemvos 2015-2026

Long-term Support

The following individuals were supported over several months or years:

• A. S.Sans-Papiers

  Insulin-dependent diabetic with angina pectoris, peripheral neuropathy, necrotising oesophagitis and vision problems. Also treated with antidepressants and antipsychotics. Repeatedly hospitalised.

  A. S. eventually received a state disability pension. The refugee guesthouse IOS continued to provide accommodation. He became financially stable and has not depended on LEMVOS support since 2020. He died in 2026 as a result of a heart attack.

• A. R.Bangladesh

  Foot fractures resulting from torture and a work accident. He also suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Greece he was assaulted in a racist attack, which worsened his PTSD symptoms.

  In 2019 he obtained employment as an interpreter and guard at a reception facility for minor refugees - a less physically demanding role. He was no longer dependent on our support.

• A. S.Greece

  Care patient in a disability facility in western Athens. Patient with schizophrenia and physical disability from a burn accident. In 2019-2020 she received financial support for an external caregiver who mobilised her daily from bed to wheelchair and bathed her weekly.

  In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, the external caregiver was denied entry. Mrs S. died in October 2020 at Agia Sotiria hospital.

• M. K. M.Bangladesh

  Tetraplegic with limited mobility in only one arm. Supported by an external caregiver who transferred him daily from bed to wheelchair and bathed him weekly.

  He died in 2019. Through the mediation of the Embassy of Bangladesh, LEMVOS and its circle of friends arranged the repatriation of the body to his home country.

• N. T.Iran

  Suffered from angina pectoris and Alzheimer's disease. Supported for six months as a refugee in Greece.

  She subsequently flew to Sweden, where she applied for and was granted political asylum. She now lives there with her son, who was able to flee directly from Iran to Sweden and also obtained refugee status.

• S. R.Pakistan

  Diagnosed with psychotic depression in 2010. As a result, he was admitted as an emergency to the Psychiatric Clinic of the "General Hospital G. Gennimatas" in Athens in 2015 and treated there for several weeks. An Asperger syndrome diagnosis was additionally made at some clinics.

  His existence long depended solely on support from Verein LEMVOS. Last year his job search was partially successful, so he is currently only conditionally dependent on LEMVOS.

• E. B.DR Congo

  Treated by physicians of "Médecins Sans Frontières" in Athens for PTSD, severe depression and psychosis. Therapy included antipsychotics, antidepressants and sleeping pills.

  LEMVOS covered his living costs for three months until he eventually fled to Belgium.

• H. M.

  Support for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. LEMVOS financed a motorcycle for flexible work as a courier driver.

  After two failed chemotherapy treatments a transplant is currently being carried out; the association currently covers his complete living costs (rent/maintenance).

Temporary Assistance

Due to serious health problems, these individuals were unable to work for a period and had no means for their livelihood. Their health has since significantly improved.

• A. S.

  Hospitalised on suspicion of recurrent tuberculosis or a tumour. He was physically severely weakened by massive diarrhoea and consequently lost his job.

• S. M.

  Suffers from recurring episodes of sudden loss of consciousness. Heart problems were diagnosed by physicians of "Médecins Sans Frontières".

• M. H.

  Acute appendicitis and intraperitoneal abscess with a relapse after five days. Surgery at Korgialenio-Benakio Hospital in Athens. He lost his job and his flat as a result. The refugee guesthouse "ΗΩΣ" offered him accommodation while Verein LEMVOS covered his living costs for three months.

Supported NGOs

NGOs supported by Verein LEMVOS in specific projects:

• Xenonas ΗΩΣ (Refugee Guesthouse IOS)

  Houses up to 20 refugees, currently five of whom have chronic illnesses, varying degrees of disability or are of advanced age. IOS received regular support from LEMVOS (heating oil, grocery garden, household appliances).

  In recent years Xenonas ΗΩΣ has been housing more and more elderly, homeless Greek citizens. This happened after previous residents had either recovered their health and ability to work, had died, or had left Greece.

• TANDEM

  In collaboration with this organisation and its volunteer team, LEMVOS organised several excursions for residents of the AMEA facility (people with disabilities) in eastern Athens, who had previously had no opportunity to spend time outdoors for years.

• PAAP (Social Services for Children with Disabilities)

  Since 2017 Verein LEMVOS has supported self-help educational programmes for children of this facility.

• Lesvos Solidarity

  In 2023 a new partnership with the NGO Solidarity of Lesvos began. The following projects have been financed so far:

  • Coverage of flight and travel costs from Lesbos to Athens for a specialised examination (brain MRI and radiological diagnosis) for a patient with over 67% disability and a low pension.
  • Coverage of travel costs for a Greek couple with an autistic child for examination by a child psychiatrist in Athens.
  • Financial support for the employment of a Farsi interpreter to accompany psychological sessions for refugees.
  • Purchase of glasses for toddlers.
  • Coverage of costs for diagnostic ultrasound examinations for a pregnant woman from Somalia.
  • Provision of interpreter services for Somali refugees.

Cross-cutting Engagement

Together with its circle of friends, Verein LEMVOS has significantly contributed to solving complex everyday problems. These included restoring communication between severely ill people and their relatives abroad, as well as mediating between patients, doctors and social services in hospitals.

LEMVOS also undertook translations of expert opinions, provided emergency dental care and assisted with complicated bureaucratic procedures - such as the repatriation of the body of M. K. to Bangladesh through contacts with the embassy, or the intervention in the case of M. X., who died in the hospital of Arta, where after consultation with forensic medicine and social services it was ensured that the body remained in the hospital until relatives arrived from Austria.

And we remain committed to helping wherever the institutional system fails to reach people.