In Mavrovouni RIC, the temporary camp on Lesvos, which opened after the Moria fire in September 2020, Watershed has maintained a focus on improving shelter in any small way we can. As the camp opened amidst such an emergency context, tents were quickly erected for the residents to move into. However, autumn soon started to approach and the need for flooring to insulate each tent’s inhabitants from the cold and damp ground was evident.
In the lead up to the project, a sample design was created, during which time we also established the most effective installation technique; hoisting up the inner layers of the tent, to make the fitting quick and to cause as little disruption as possible to the inhabitants.
During November 2020, the task force started the installations; led by Watershed and composed of volunteer teams from our friends Refugee 4 Refugees and EuroRelief. Over the course of the project, we fitted 156 floors; 3744 pallets and 1248 sheets of OSB. We also worked with local contractors to level some of the uneven areas and laid 200m3 of gravel to improve the drainage in these zones.
Although fairly simple in terms of a shelter intervention, we know that this project made a huge difference to the families facing the difficult winter conditions in Mavrovouni RIC by lifting them of the cold, wet floor.
