SINCE the number of migrants making their way to Europe through Greece ballooned in 2015, Greek and EU officials have been scrambling to cope. Late last year EU officials hit on the idea of a series of “hotspots”—centres where migrants are registered—to try to bring order to the chaos. Three have since opened in Italy (though only the one on the island of Lampedusa is fully functional) and one on the Greek island of Lesbos. On January 31st Greek officials said that, after months of delay, the country would get on with opening four more on the other islands; they claim all will be open by the spring. This week The Economist went to the one in Lesbos. What is it like, and does it work?
The Greek hotspot is in the Moria camp, a former military base about 15 minutes north of Mytilene, the biggest town in Lesbos. Outside the camp is the “Afghan hill”, where around a dozen tepees are set up and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, wait to be bussed to the ferry that will take them to Athens. It is all rather ad hoc—with makeshift fires, signs made by volunteers advertising free stuff, and a playground for children.
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