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Check FAQAbout Marianna
Award-winning photojournalist, journalist and researcher with ten years of experience in journalism, publishing, and communications based in Cambridge, UK but available to travel. I work as a foreign correspondent, journalist, photojournalist, and fixer for a variety of media organisations and international human rights organisations from the UK, the USA, Germany, Finland, Switzerland and others. From 2020-2023 I was the communication manager for a global non-profit working on media and diversity. I have reported from Greece, the wider Balkan region, the UK, Malta and Cyprus I have built a reputation of valid and trustworthy reporting that is trusted by thousands. Through my social media presence, I have managed to create a wide network of contacts and resources. I focus on humanitarian reporting and politics and my expertise is in migration and refugee issues, European politics, gender and feminism, and social movements and protests. In 2017 my story ‘EU-Turkey Deal Fails to Stop Refugee Flow‘ published by Deutsche Welle won a prize at the European Migration Media Award. I am also a member of the National Union of Journalists (UK). In 2015 I was part of the production of 'Macedonia: Tracking Down the Refugee Kidnap Gangs' which won the Foreign Press Association Award for News Story of the Year and the Royal Television Society for the Independent Award. My book 'Crossing Lines - Climbing Walls: Critical Perspectives on Migration in the 21st Century' will be published in the Spring of 2018. I am currently a PhD researcher in Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham. I have a BA in Mediterranean Studies (International Relations and Organisations), University of the Aegean, Greece and an MA in International Relations (Security Studies), University of Birmingham, UK.
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End of Moria camp highlights refugee trauma – DW – 09
The article describes the dire conditions experienced by refugees in Moria, emphasizing the loss of hope among many after the devastating fire that destroyed their temporary shelter. It paints a poignant picture of the refugees' plight, highlighting a particular moment after sunset where dozens gathered to pray and cry in front of a grocery store, seeking hope and a chance for their voices to be heard amidst the chaos and despair.
Trapped on Greek Islands: Refugees Face Overcrowding and Bureaucratic Challenges
The article by Marianna Karakoulaki and Dimitris Tosidis focuses on the dire situation of refugees on the Greek island of Samos. Overcrowded and with inadequate facilities, the camp built for 850 people now hosts over 1,800. Refugees, including Mohammed from Iraq and Maher from Syria, face harsh living conditions, with some resorting to buying containers for shelter. The EU-Turkey refugee deal complicates their situation, limiting movement and prolonging asylum procedures. Frontex is involved in identity screening, while the Greek Asylum Service processes asylum claims, which can take months. Healthcare is stretched thin, with the hospital unable to cope with the demand. Refugees like Ahmad from Syria express a desire to work and contribute to Greece, despite the challenges they face. The article highlights the human aspect of the refugee crisis, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the psychological impact on those seeking asylum.
Life after the Moria refugee camp fire: A tale of a broken system
Journalists Marianna Karakoulaki and Dimitris Tosidis report from Lesbos on the aftermath of a fire that destroyed part of the Moria refugee camp. The camp is described as prison-like, with poor living conditions and restricted media access. Refugees from African countries feel discriminated against by the asylum services, which they believe prioritize Middle Eastern refugees. The article shares personal stories of refugees like Wafor from Nigeria and Michael from Cameroon, who fled due to his sexual orientation. Legal anthropologist Dr. Barbara Harrel-Bond criticizes the asylum process, noting that those handling asylum claims often lack knowledge of refugee law. The EU-Turkey agreement has exacerbated the situation, effectively turning Lesbos into a prison with a slow and discriminatory asylum system.
Life at the Macedonian gate to Europe
Marianna Karakoulaki reports from Idomeni, where the refugee situation is tense following a police action against refugees trying to force open the Macedonian gate to Europe. The camp, designed for 3,000, now holds around 10,000 people, creating a Middle Eastern bazaar atmosphere. Refugees from Kurdistan, particularly Aleppo, have increased due to the Syrian conflict. Sami, a Kurdish architecture student, fled with his family due to threats from 'IS'. Despite the hardships, refugees like Baidar and Ahmed, who studied economics, remain positive and hope to continue their education in Europe. Osman, a Kurdish hairdresser from Aleppo, has set up a makeshift salon in the camp, hoping to eventually open a salon in Germany. The refugees remain hopeful despite the uncertainty of their situation, with some acknowledging the violence and the use of tear gas as a consequence of refugees throwing stones at the police.
Refugees continue to cross the Balkan route into Europe
The article reports on the ongoing movement of refugees through the Balkan route into Europe, despite the EU-Turkey deal intended to curb this flow. It follows the story of Mohammed, a stateless individual from Kuwait, who navigates the perilous journey with the help of smugglers. Despite the EU-Turkey deal, which traps refugees on Greek islands until their asylum applications are processed, many like Mohammed seek alternative paths to reach mainland Europe. The article details the extensive networks of smugglers and the various routes taken by refugees, as well as the costs involved. It also touches on the lives of other refugees stranded in Serbia, their attempts to cross borders, and the involvement of local authorities and other actors in facilitating or hindering their movement. The piece is based on the authors' direct contact with refugees and observations at different points along the route, and it is produced with funding from the Migration Media Award, funded by the EU.
The Greek anti-fascist struggle is far from over
The conviction of Golden Dawn leaders as criminals marks a significant moment in Greece's battle against fascism, but the ideology persists in society. Golden Dawn, a party with neo-Nazi roots, gained parliamentary seats amid Greece's economic crisis by exploiting nationalist sentiments. Despite their political downfall following violent acts, including the murders of Sahzat Lukman and anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas, fascist ideologies continue to influence Greek politics and media. The anti-fascist movement's persistent activism has been crucial in exposing and combating Golden Dawn's agenda, underscoring the ongoing struggle against fascism in Greece.
Idomeni: Trauma through a girl's eyes – DW – 05
The article discusses the poignant experience of a young Syrian girl living in a refugee camp in Idomeni, Greece. She shares a drawing that depicts the graves of her family members, symbolizing the loss and devastation faced by Syrian families. Although her parents are with her, she has been a witness to the sorrow of others who have lost their loved ones. The image she holds is a stark representation of the children's perspective on the Syrian conflict and the refugee crisis.
A year after the EU-Turkey Deal, refugees remain stranded in Greece
The article reports on the situation of refugees in Greece a year after the EU-Turkey Deal was implemented. Idomeni, once a crowded refugee camp, is now empty, with only a sign reading 'Hope' and a fence as reminders of its past. Frontex has deployed officers to prevent irregular border crossings. Despite the deal and increased border security, many refugees still attempt to reach Europe, with some using smugglers. The article shares the story of Mohammed, a Syrian refugee, and Abdullah, an Afghan refugee, highlighting their struggles and the dangers they face. It also touches on the issue of refugees going 'missing' and the resurgence of the smuggling business due to the closure of the Balkan route.
Refugees Trapped in Greece as Europe's Borders Close
Mariana Karakoulaki, a Greek freelance journalist, reports from a refugee camp in Idomeni, Greece, where thousands of refugees from Afghanistan and Syria are trapped due to closed European borders. The camp is overcrowded, with 4,000 refugees lacking information and adequate shelter. Only 150 people are allowed to cross the border daily, and many are turned back from Serbia and Macedonia. Greece is struggling with 12,000 stranded migrants and more arriving, while European leaders debate over the responsibility for the newcomers. Greece's response included recalling its ambassador to Austria and refusing to become a 'warehouse of souls'. Karakoulaki suggests that the border closures are an EU decision aimed at preventing further influx of refugees.
Desperation and Tension Rise at Greek-Macedonian Border
The article reports on the escalating tensions in Idomeni, a village on the Greek-Macedonian border, where over 7,000 refugees, mainly from Syria and Iraq, are trapped. The refugees' frustration is palpable, with protests escalating to the point where Macedonian police fired tear gas in response to refugees throwing stones and attempting to break through a border fence. The camp, designed for 3,000, is overwhelmed as daily crossings are far below the announced number of 500. Refugees express a desperate desire to reach Germany, but are stuck in dire conditions. The Greek government has banned journalists from entering hotspots, but Idomeni remains accessible. The EU plans to discuss the crisis on March 7, but the situation remains dire with continuous arrivals and no clear resolution in sight.
Refugees in Idomeni lose hope as EU borders close
Marianna Karakoulaki reports from the Idomeni transit camp, where refugees are struggling with the closure of borders and the harsh living conditions. The EU-Turkey migration summit did not bring the expected positive outcomes, and the Balkan route has effectively closed. Refugees, such as Ghanim from Iraq and Amal from Syria, are considering limited options, including asylum in Greece or joining EU relocation programmes. The UNHCR is counseling refugees on their choices, but the process is slow and does not guarantee family reunification. Some refugees are contemplating using smugglers as a last resort. Despite the dire situation, many still hold out hope for a future in Europe, but the EU's response has been criticized for lacking coordination and a humanitarian focus.
Militarization is not helpful: Europe's stubbornness and the plight of refugees
The EU's approach to the refugee crisis, treating it as a military problem, has led to the creation of new smuggling routes, exploitation of refugees, and increased deaths in the Aegean Sea. With the Balkan route now effectively closed, over 42,000 refugees are stranded in Greece, facing dire conditions. The EU-Turkey summit failed to produce a coherent strategy, and the EU's plan to redistribute refugees between member states and Turkey raises concerns, especially for Kurdish refugees. Greece, in the midst of multiple crises, lacks the infrastructure and resources to support the growing number of refugees. The article argues for a humanitarian strategy that respects refugees' rights, rather than further militarization which exacerbates the suffering of those fleeing war zones.
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