Refugee Crisis on Greek Islands
Donation protected
Photograph of a Syrian girl taken in Mytilene Harbour, Lesvos, Thursday 3 September 2015
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My name is Shaan Reza Ali.
I recently completed a Juris Doctor (Law) degree from the University of Melbourne and have specialised in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.
I am also a photojournalist, and have covered assignments in Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines and Central Australia.
At the present, thousands of people are currently stranded in precarious conditions across several Greek islands, including Lesvos.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over the past eight months nearly 124,000 refugees have crossed into Greece from Turkey. Most are Syrian and Afghans fleeing violence, war, and conflict.
For many, the aim is to relocate to any place inside Europe - somewhere they can find safety for their children and themselves, and eventually restart their lives. Many typically enter the EU through Greece’s eastern Aegean islands, and in particular Lesvos, Kos, and Chios. The island of Lesvos has been the most heavily burdened, with up to 1,000 refugees arriving per day.
Over the past few months I have been travelling through Europe, having completed my coursework in Geneva in early July. Upon hearing the news of ever-increasing numbers arriving on the shores of Lesvos, and after seeing powerful images, I am driven to assist and serve those in most need in whatever way I can.
... One such way is this campaign.
Photograph of an Afghani man was taken in a Mytilene camp. I coopted some lovely Hazara boys to help me distribute fruit, biscuits and water to Afghanis in the area, Wednesday 2 September 2015
With around 1,000 new arrivals every day, Lesvos is currently home to some 10,000 refugees.
Arriving with little other than the clothes on their backs, few have shelter from the hot Greek sun. There is not enough food and water. Some 50 kilometres away from the beaches where the migrants first arrive is the port town of Mytilene. Many have travelled the entire way there on foot. Many do not have adequate footwear.
No doubt it is already a gruelling trek from their home countries, where they have left everything behind, to Greece. And with the colder months approaching, questions are being raised about how much longer the situation can continue.
I will be travelling to Lesvos on Tuesday 1 September 2015 and will be making my way to the north of the island, where the majority of boats are, at this very moment, arriving. I will be on site for 7 days before making my way back to Australia.
I created this campaign as I know that the desire to help is out there. That it exists. And that often all we need is a means of channelling this desire.
Any amount you can contribute will be helpful.
I will use the funds to purchase tents, clothing, food, diapers, sanitary equipment and anything else immediately needed by the refugees on the ground.
The equipment will be purchased locally on Lesvos; I will be transporting and delivering all items personally. This will also help in providing assistance to the Greek locals battling economic hardship. Win/Win. I also intend to network with local relief organisations in order to create long-term channels for providing aid.
I will not be using any contributions for my own transportation or any other costs while on Lesvos.
Please give. Give whatever you can. Help me to be the vehicle for your generosity. Even sharing this campaign with your networks makes a difference and is beneficial in raising awareness about this issue.
If you would like to know more, I have attached links to some stories that have recently hit the press and further outline the situation in Lesvos and surrounding islands.
From the bottom of my heart: Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read these words and support this campaign.
Shaan
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Links:
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF), 21 July 2015: http://www.msf.ie/article/greece-testimonies-kara-tepe-refugee-camp
- Images from The New York Times, 17 August 2015: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2015/08/17/world/europe/migrants-find-an-unbridled-route-to-greece/s/20150817-MIGRANTS-slide-ECMU.html
- International Rescue Committee, 18 August 2015: http://www.rescue.org/press-releases/spike-refugee-numbers-and-ferry-restrictions-risk-lesbos-reaching-%E2%80%98breaking-point%E2%80%99-26
- The Guardian, 19 August 2015: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/19/spike-refugee-arrivals-pushing-greek-island-lesbos-breaking-point
- Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 2015: http://www.smh.com.au/world/the-story-behind-the-heartbreaking-photo-of-refugee-family-shared-by-thousands-20150820-gj3yi0.html
--
My name is Shaan Reza Ali.
I recently completed a Juris Doctor (Law) degree from the University of Melbourne and have specialised in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.
I am also a photojournalist, and have covered assignments in Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines and Central Australia.
At the present, thousands of people are currently stranded in precarious conditions across several Greek islands, including Lesvos.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over the past eight months nearly 124,000 refugees have crossed into Greece from Turkey. Most are Syrian and Afghans fleeing violence, war, and conflict.
For many, the aim is to relocate to any place inside Europe - somewhere they can find safety for their children and themselves, and eventually restart their lives. Many typically enter the EU through Greece’s eastern Aegean islands, and in particular Lesvos, Kos, and Chios. The island of Lesvos has been the most heavily burdened, with up to 1,000 refugees arriving per day.
Over the past few months I have been travelling through Europe, having completed my coursework in Geneva in early July. Upon hearing the news of ever-increasing numbers arriving on the shores of Lesvos, and after seeing powerful images, I am driven to assist and serve those in most need in whatever way I can.
... One such way is this campaign.
Photograph of an Afghani man was taken in a Mytilene camp. I coopted some lovely Hazara boys to help me distribute fruit, biscuits and water to Afghanis in the area, Wednesday 2 September 2015With around 1,000 new arrivals every day, Lesvos is currently home to some 10,000 refugees.
Arriving with little other than the clothes on their backs, few have shelter from the hot Greek sun. There is not enough food and water. Some 50 kilometres away from the beaches where the migrants first arrive is the port town of Mytilene. Many have travelled the entire way there on foot. Many do not have adequate footwear.
No doubt it is already a gruelling trek from their home countries, where they have left everything behind, to Greece. And with the colder months approaching, questions are being raised about how much longer the situation can continue.
I will be travelling to Lesvos on Tuesday 1 September 2015 and will be making my way to the north of the island, where the majority of boats are, at this very moment, arriving. I will be on site for 7 days before making my way back to Australia.
I created this campaign as I know that the desire to help is out there. That it exists. And that often all we need is a means of channelling this desire.
Any amount you can contribute will be helpful.
I will use the funds to purchase tents, clothing, food, diapers, sanitary equipment and anything else immediately needed by the refugees on the ground.
The equipment will be purchased locally on Lesvos; I will be transporting and delivering all items personally. This will also help in providing assistance to the Greek locals battling economic hardship. Win/Win. I also intend to network with local relief organisations in order to create long-term channels for providing aid.
I will not be using any contributions for my own transportation or any other costs while on Lesvos.
Please give. Give whatever you can. Help me to be the vehicle for your generosity. Even sharing this campaign with your networks makes a difference and is beneficial in raising awareness about this issue.
If you would like to know more, I have attached links to some stories that have recently hit the press and further outline the situation in Lesvos and surrounding islands.
From the bottom of my heart: Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read these words and support this campaign.
Shaan
--
Links:
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF), 21 July 2015: http://www.msf.ie/article/greece-testimonies-kara-tepe-refugee-camp
- Images from The New York Times, 17 August 2015: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2015/08/17/world/europe/migrants-find-an-unbridled-route-to-greece/s/20150817-MIGRANTS-slide-ECMU.html
- International Rescue Committee, 18 August 2015: http://www.rescue.org/press-releases/spike-refugee-numbers-and-ferry-restrictions-risk-lesbos-reaching-%E2%80%98breaking-point%E2%80%99-26
- The Guardian, 19 August 2015: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/19/spike-refugee-arrivals-pushing-greek-island-lesbos-breaking-point
- Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 2015: http://www.smh.com.au/world/the-story-behind-the-heartbreaking-photo-of-refugee-family-shared-by-thousands-20150820-gj3yi0.html
Organizer
Shaan Bear Reza Ali
Organizer
West Melbourne VIC
