UN agency for refugees calls on Greece to take control of the "complete chaos" on the islands

The EU member states should also do more to help with Greece's problem, where 50,000 refugees arrived in July, the director of the UNHCR’s Europe bureau, Vincent Cochetel, said after visiting the islands of Lesvos, Kos and Chios.

"In terms of drinking water, in terms of health care, in terms of food aid, the situation is completely inadequate. On most of the islands, there are no reception capacities; people do not sleep under a roof," Cochetel, a veteran of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, noted.

"There is complete chaos on the islands. After a couple of days, they are transferred to Athens where there is nothing for them," he added.

The Greek authorities must "lead and coordinate the issue," he said adding that he "has never before seen such a situation."

"We are concerned about this situation. None really seems willing to lead the efforts for dealing with the issue, and this makes it very difficult for humanitarian organizations to participate in the efforts," he stressed.

He also expressed concern over the deterioration of the situation in Greece and the possibility of being used for political purposes.