In 2015, the Greek island of Lesbos became one of the main entry points into Europe for people fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. Each day, dozens of overcrowded rubber boats arrived from the Turkish coast, carrying families who had risked everything to cross the Aegean Sea. Local residents and volunteers from across Europe quickly formed spontaneous aid networks to help the exhausted and traumatized newcomers.
Among them was Catalan lifeguard Òscar Camps, founder of the humanitarian organization Proactiva Open Arms. Arriving on Lesbos in September 2015 with only a few colleagues and minimal equipment, he began daily rescue operations along the island’s northern coast near Skala Sykamias. Working with Greek coastguards, medics, and other NGOs, the team saved people from capsized boats and guided hundreds to safety.
Between autumn 2015 and spring 2016, Proactiva Open Arms and hundreds of international volunteers patrolled the coastline day and night. According to their records, they assisted more than 140,000 refugees in reaching land safely. Many rescues took place in rough weather and darkness, when dinghies collapsed under the weight of too many passengers. Volunteers provided first aid, dry clothes, and reassurance to people who had just survived the most dangerous part of their journey.
Once ashore, most new arrivals were taken to the Moria Refugee Camp, located a few kilometres outside Mytilene. Originally designed for fewer than 3,000 people, it soon became overcrowded, housing more than 20,000 refugees at the height of the crisis. Conditions in Moria were extremely harsh — limited access to water, food, sanitation, and medical care led to growing frustration and tension. Despite these difficulties, local communities and volunteer groups worked tirelessly to maintain a sense of dignity and hope within the camp.
After the EU–Turkey agreement in March 2016, the number of crossings to Lesbos sharply declined, but the humanitarian situation on the island remained critical. Many volunteers who had started on the beaches continued to help in the camps, offering medical support, education for children, and legal assistance for asylum seekers.
For both rescuers and refugees, Lesbos became a symbol — of tragedy, endurance, and solidarity. What began as a handful of lifeguards and local helpers evolved into a global humanitarian effort that continues to remind Europe of its responsibility to protect human life and uphold the right to seek safety. The story of Lesbos and Moria remains a lasting image of compassion amid crisis, and a warning of what happens when politics fails to meet the scale of human need.
