
OUR STORY
Context lesvos
The Greek island of Lesvos has long been one of the main entry points to Europe for migrants and asylum seekers, due to its proximity to the Turkish coast. In 2015, this became especially visible as the number of arrivals grew significantly. That year alone, over 500,000 people arrived on the island, making Lesvos a focal point of migration routes into Europe. During that year and in the years that followed, thousands continued to reach the island. Until 2020, Moria camp served as the main reception and identification center.
In 2020, a fire led to the closure of Moria camp, leaving thousands of people without shelter. Mavrovouni camp was created in response to this emergency. To this day, access to stable and reliable healthcare remains limited, for both those living in the camp and the local population.
That same year, Crisis Management Association (CMA) was established. After assessing needs on the ground, we saw that healthcare services on the island were overstretched. By setting up clinics directly inside the camp, CMA aimed to ease pressure on local hospitals while making care more accessible to residents.
From the beginning, CMA has focused on working alongside the community, by hiring local staff, collaborating with Greek healthcare providers, and welcoming professionals from around the world to build a diverse and inclusive team.
how we started
CMA was founded in direct response to the 2020 Moria camp fire. Beginning with a detailed needs assessment, we examined the challenges faced by both the local population and camp residents on Lesvos. It quickly became clear that the island’s healthcare system was under significant pressure, and a solution was needed to ease this burden while ensuring dependable care for those residing in the camp.
By offering healthcare services directly within the camp, CMA has helped ease the burden on local hospitals and improved access to care for camp residents. Integration has been a key focus of our approach: hiring local staff, involving members of the refugee community, and bringing together international professionals to create a diverse and collaborative team.
Looking Ahead
Today, CMA operates a dental clinic and pharmacy, but our mission extends beyond these services. We continuously conduct needs assessments to identify where support is most required, whether to address new healthcare challenges or longstanding gaps in access.
CMA remains committed to evolving with the context, adapting our response to ensure healthcare is accessible to everyone facing barriers. Flexibility, collaboration, and respect for dignity will continue to guide all our work as we move forward.
Meet some of the Team