Editorial: Questions

When there is smoke there is fire, the saying goes. That smoke exists is confirmed by the probe of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) regarding the management of 1.3bn euros that were disbursed for refugees and migrants that have sought refuge in our country.

One hopes that this time there is no fire. It would be a disgrace if these funds have fallen into a black hole due to a lack of transparency.

It would be extremely shameful for our country if the money earmarked for the management of the humanitarian crisis was devoured.

It is a crisis that continues, raising huge questions. The overarching question is how such a huge amount of money produces such meager results.

How is it possible, with so much money, to have refugees and migrants living in such inhuman conditions?
Is this very tragic situation the result of incompetence or of mismanagement, or both?

Who is responsible for this disgraceful result?

The investigation be conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will give us answers.

In the meantime, the humanitarian crisis is festering, and it is not only at the Moria camp on the island of Lesvos.

There are equally inhuman conditions at the Reception and Identification Service (KYT) on the island of Samos, as the ultimatum from the Northern Aegean Prefecture confirms. It issued a 30-day deadline by which the Migration Ministry must make the necessary improvements, otherwise the prefecture will suspend its operation.

This situation offends and exposes our country. The last thing it needs is a corruption scandal.