Over the past year, A Drop in the Ocean (DiH) has continued to deliver essential Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in the Lesvos Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC), with a focus on equitable laundry access, public health collaboration and sectoral coordination. We present here our newly published Lesvos WASH Evaluation & Context Report (July 2024 – June 2025) that offers a comprehensive look at the impact of these services on health, dignity, and community wellbeing.
At the heart of our WASH programme is the Laundry Station Project, which provides residents with access to safe, regular laundry services and eco-friendly detergent. In September 2024, the relocation of the facility inside the camp significantly improved accessibility and uptake, with over 55,000 kilograms of laundry processed during the reporting period. This service not only supports infection prevention and hygiene but also contributes to psychosocial wellbeing, gender equity, and saving of time particularly for women and caregivers.
Our work in this past year also focused on collaborative public health interventions, such as a joint scabies response with MSF and BRF and other partners, which combined medical treatment with hygiene and laundry support. These efforts reached 65% of the camp population and demonstrated the power of integrated WASH–health coordination.
In parallel, we’ve taken steps to embed sustainability into our operations by recycling blankets, supporting the safe reuse of clothing and bedding and using biodegradable detergent. Through the EEA Grants-supported partnership with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, we’ve also begun sharing our learnings in other camp settings and NGOs in other Aegean Islands, offering training and guidance to strengthen WASH services across the region and lay the foundation for more sustainable practices to take hold in the future.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Infrastructure limitations, funding, staffing constraints, and gaps in coordination continue to affect service continuity and equity. Our report outlines clear recommendations for sector-wide collaboration, data harmonisation, and inclusive service design to ensure that no one is left behind.
As we look ahead, DiH remains committed to continually developing and delivering evidence-based, community-centred, and environmentally responsible WASH services. We believe that access to clean clothes and hygiene is not just a technical need, it is a matter of dignity, fairness, and resilience – a human right.
Read the full report here
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