KHAIMA

For the past twelve years, a provisory camp was set up by Afghan refugees in the harbor of Patras, in Greece. About 400 to 600 men, aged 12 to 60, lived in makeshift housing made out of found building materials and cardboard boxes. Most of the refugees living in the camp tried to get to their final destination, usually a country in Central Europe, by hiding themselves inside or under trucks which would then board ferries to Italy. Others tried to survive as long as possible in Patras, hoping to be granted asylum by the Greek state. On the 12th of July 2009, following orders by the Greek government, two bulldozers and four trucks demolished the camp, with the support of 150 riot police. No other living alternatives were planned for the refugees beforehand. Today, over 700 refugees spend the night on the streets of Patras.