Laura Lo Castro: "The fear of migratory flows needs to be broken"

With 35 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, most of which was in the field, in countries in Africa and Asia, Laura Lo Castro has been the new Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greece since last December. In her first interview with a Greek media outlet, she speaks to "NEA" about the challenges she faces and the need to create legal migration routes.

You have been in Greece for the last two months. What is your impression after visiting accommodation facilities on the islands and in Evros?

I visited Malakasa and Ritsona, then I went to Lesvos and Crete, and just last week Evros. Each location has its own characteristics and a different range of needs. The challenge Greece faces is evident. For example, when I went to Lesvos, I had in mind images of reception structures that were far from being considered adequate, while what exists today is relatively satisfactory. The reality in Evros is certainly different from what I saw in Lesvos. Even the facility in Fylakio that I visited is not the same as those in Ritsona or Malakasa. Every situation is different. There are places where reception conditions are better and others that are not suitable for stays longer than a week or ten days. The local community, local authorities and NGOs work with passion and professionalism. It was evident how they complement the work of the government. There is support for mental health, legal aid and counselling. In the field, I saw organizations working together harmoniously, as well as our colleagues, many of whom have served in the same roles for ten years or more.

What challenges do you think you will face in Greece?

I have a personal challenge: coping with the news of people losing their lives at sea. I remember when I was in Africa for the first time, in Rwanda. In front of my house, I would see elderly women and children carrying wood or water every day. I said to myself then: “The moment you get used to this misery, that you won’t see it anymore, then you are no longer worthy of being here.” This is still true today. You can’t get used to the pain or the news that another life has been lost, especially when it involves children and women. These are deaths that could have been avoided.

I have noticed that in Greece – as in other countries, and in Italy where I come from – there is concern about migratory flows. People are afraid, often because they do not have a complete picture of the situation. And yet, the Greek people have demonstrated solidarity many times. What is needed is for the right messages to be conveyed, for the fear to be broken.

Finally, a very serious challenge for us is the funding crisis. Like many humanitarian and development organizations, we are facing significant cuts. And although we had launched initiatives for the integration and employability of refugees and asylum-seekers – in full cooperation with the Greek government – ​​we have been forced to scale them back. I hope that we will manage to continue them with new resources.

The recent tragic incident in Chios proves that people's need to escape difficult situations is constant...

The flows will continue as long as there are wars and poverty. There are countries that may not be in open war, such as Afghanistan, but the living conditions are extremely difficult, including in terms of human rights. Therefore, countries like Greece and Italy, which are on the European borders, will continue to see arrivals. People will continue to seek safety, dignity and a future, when this is impossible in their own country.

The incident in Chios was tragic – especially given the number of people who lost their lives. Survivors were hospitalized, several in critical condition, and families were torn apart. We understand that an investigation is underway and it is important that there is transparency and clarity about what happened, in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The solution is complex but clear: creating legal and safe migration pathways, providing asylum to those who deserve it, and addressing the root causes of displacement. We cannot just focus on the last leg of the journey. We must look at the journey from the beginning.

Do you believe that tightening migration policy in Greece will bring results?

Based on my experience over the years, unfortunately I do not believe that deterrence alone will solve the issue. While, for example, Italy or Greece increase patrols, often in cooperation with Frontex, migration routes shift to places that are less controlled. When people are desperate and arrive by boat, it means that they know exactly the risk they face. The point is that we need a comprehensive response, which can of course include border patrols, but at the same time will open legal migration routes.

At the same time, if we opened up more avenues for family reunification, the number of arrivals via irregular, dangerous routes would likely be significantly reduced. Unfortunately, at the moment, this is not even being considered by European countries.

You have been to countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. What is it like to be in the field?

It's a passion, an addiction. You can talk to people, learn about their struggle, their story, and see the results of your work. For me, organizing a repatriation operation is the most moving and rewarding activity, seeing people return home and reunite with their families, because the war is over.

At the same time, the concept of sharing that African countries have was a life lesson. And the paradox? The poorer the countries, the more hospitable they are. You know, the cultures of the South share, and this is one of the things I keep from my stay in Chad, where I spent two years before coming to Greece. This hospitable approach also exists in Mediterranean countries, we must find a way to revive it, passing on the strong message that today Sudanese and Afghans are on boats seeking safety and a better life, tomorrow it could be us.

Source: This is a translation of an interview published in Greek at the newspaper “TA NEA” on 13 February 2026. See the original interview here.