The Moria White Helmets (MWH) is a self-organized refugee group dedicated to empowering refugees living in the camp on Lesvos, Greece. Their mission is to empower individuals to take an active role in enhancing their living conditions, fostering a sense of normalcy for the thousands of asylum seekers who must endure life in the camp while awaiting decisions on their cases.
(Picture: Sewing workshop of the Moria White Helmets, Source of all pictures: Moria White Helmets)
Wadi provided support for refugee self-organization in the Moria camp, assisting the community in their efforts to advocate for their needs and rights. This collective initiative ultimately led to the establishment of MWH in 2020, reflecting the determination and resilience of the refugees themselves.
The project model of Moria White Helmets is straightforward:
1. All members of Moria White Helmets must be current or former asylum seekers.
2. All services provided through MWH projects are free and accessible to all asylum seekers.
3. In exchange for their participation, MWH’s members receive food vouchers, cash cards and similar services that contribute to meeting basic needs. All donations will be used solely to support MWH in sustaining and advancing their projects.
Summary of MWH’s current projects in 2025
Several workshops are still active every day:
A barbershop for men for hair and beards. There are four Barbers ( two at morning & two at afternoon) working five days a week
A beauty shop for women for hair, nails etc .There is a friendly and competent women team consistent of two groups. Each group has four members working three days per week.
A tailor shop where skilled seamstresses repair and adjust garments and textiles. The team comprises female and male members, working four days a week.
A bicycle workshop to adjust and fix bicycles.
A workshop providing tools that are required f or construction.
Three members are helping refugees and welcoming them all. MWH provides assistance to newly arrived refugees. This is a collaboration with other organizations, such as the Hope Project, BWC and others, to be able to assist newly arrived refugees in the camp with whatever they need in terms of clothing, advice and guidance.
Expulsion from the camp and new start
In June, the camp management delivered them a disheartening message: the MWH could no longer operate within the camp’s confines because they are not officially registered as an NGO. For MWH, this decision struck a deep chord. As residents of the camp, they had always been able to differentiate themselves from traditional NGOs. They were not outsiders providing aid; they were individuals living the reality of displacement, responding to the immediate needs of their community. Despite their unique position, their arguments fell on deaf ears, and they were given just one month to dismantle their operations and relocate all workshop materials, educational resources, and equipment from the beauty salon. The members of MWH were frustrated. Their work wasn’t merely a job; it was a lifeline for many. They had poured their hearts into creating a space where hope and community flourished, and now they were being told to abandon it. But amid this chaos, their spirit remained unbroken.
The Moria White Helmets have weathered numerous challenges before, and this one would not be the end. Recognizing their capability to adapt and persevere, they made a collective decision: rather than succumb to despair, they would forge ahead. So they found a new location, close to the camp, where they could continue their work. While operating outside the camp is a shift, it offers them an opportunity to recreate a nurturing environment for the community they serve.
MWH understands that their new location may lack the familiarity and immediacy of the camp. Still, they are committed to ensuring that their services remain accessible to those who need them most. By relocating nearby, they aim to maintain their connection to the community and continue fostering the spirit of self-empowerment that has been the hallmark of their efforts.
Moria White Helmets are supported by Solingen Hilft e.V. and Benevety.
Wadi 
