What Tamim feared most in the moments after delivering her child by Caesarean section was having to return to Moria camp, where she and her husband lived on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Conditions were dirty and overcrowded – especially difficult for a new mother in a fragile condition with an infant.
“The toilet and everything wasn’t so clean, so I was worried about getting an infection,” she says.
It was also her first baby and she wasn’t sure what to expect in Greece after hearing mixed reports from women who had given birth at public hospitals on the islands as well as the mainland.
“I was really worried about how it was going to be,” she says.
The family now lives in an apartment in central Athens, a vast improvement on the overcrowded, dirty and increasingly dangerous camp. In Moria, women and girls face the constant threat of sexual violence.
Tamim and her husband are from Afghanistan, but they had been living in Iran as refugees for years prior to making the journey to Greece. When they arrived on Lesbos in 2017, the couple joined about 20,000 other asylum seekers and migrants in the infamous Moria camp, dubbed the world’s worst refugee camp by the BBC.
The conditions are difficult for all the inhabitants, but pregnant refugee women and new mothers are among the most vulnerable. Tamim and her husband stayed at Moria for nearly a year before they were transferred to mainland Greece months after the arrival of their first child.
The overburdening of Greece’s social welfare system has left it ill-equipped to cope with 115,000 asylum seekers currently registered as living within its borders.
Since the summer of 2015, more than one million asylum seekers and migrants from the Middle East and North Africa have arrived in Europe fleeing war, persecution, economic devastation and, increasingly, the effects of climate change.
During the height of these arrivals, most entered through Italy or Greece before travelling on to central and northern Europe, as Greece’s poor economy and weak social welfare system left few people wanting to remain in the country.
But in March 2016, that all changed. The border with Macedonia – now North Macedonia – slammed shut and the Dublin Act, which states that asylum claims must be registered in the country of first arrival, came back into effect. Thousands of asylum seekers subsequently had to claim asylum in Greece.
Although arrivals have fallen since 2015, there were still twice as many in January 2020 as in January 2019 – with 60 per cent of them women and children, according to the latest UNHCR figures.
Furthermore, “people can no longer leave for European countries under relocation,” said Boris Cheshirkov, the UNHCR spokesman in Athens. “Reunification for those who are in Greece with family members in other European member countries is slow [and] integration prospects are dim.”
Exacerbating an already precarious situation, over the summer of 2019 the newly elected Greek government revoked asylum seekers’ access to public healthcare, citing an overwhelmed welfare system. For pregnant women and new mothers, this was devastating.
Now, even routine check-ups during pregnancy had to be paid for, but, because refugee and migrant women often lack the means to afford health care, many go months, or even their entire pregnancies, without seeing a doctor.
“We see women in Amurtel who are maybe seven to eight months pregnant who have never had any sort of check-up,” said Rebecca Werwath, a part-time lactation consultant at Amurtel Greece, an international grassroots NGO for women.
Even more concerning is what happens to women after giving birth at a public hospital – an emergency expense still covered by the state. “They have to go back to the conditions where they carried the child, so it’s a very difficult situation for pregnant women and young mothers, and for infants and young children in general,” Mr Cheshirkov said.
On many of the islands, people live under tarpaulin in the exposed spillover camps surrounding the official ones.
“The fact is there are many women living in a very difficult position,” says Anna, a volunteer midwife at Amurtel. “There are women that are pregnant and are homeless, or they might have other children and are homeless.”
After six months, the Greek government decided to grant asylum seekers a provisional social security number that would allow those applying for asylum limited access to the healthcare system. But the pandemic has greatly complicated this new process, with offices closed and long delays.
Even after they navigate bureaucratic hurdles and difficult living conditions, expectant mothers face other challenges, including language barriers and the lack of family support. These women were used to having the support of their own mothers, sisters, female relatives … so there’s a huge gap for them,” Ms Werwath said.
The stressful environment means many refugee and migrant women find themselves unable to breastfeed and have to rely on formula milk, which is often too expensive. As a result, many end up diluting the mixture to make it last longer.
If, like Tamim, they have access to organisations such as Amurtel, they can get breastfeeding consultation sessions. “They come here and ask advice about how to give more milk, because they cannot afford to buy formula milk,” Anna said.
Yet, despite all of the obstacles refugee and migrant women face during their pregnancies, birth and postpartum, many women say that giving birth in Greece is still a huge improvement on giving birth in their home countries.
“Here is better, because in Afghanistan and in Iran we [women] don’t have rights,” said Asma, another refugee woman from Afghanistan who attends sessions at Amurtel. “But here they talk to us as humans and the behaviour is more humane.”
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
HAJJAN
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Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
MANDOOB
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
