London To Lesvos
Donation protected
What Are We Raising Money For?
On the 25th November 2015, Louise Howitt and Lara Bowell will be travelling out to Lesvos, a small Greek island, which is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis that is taking the lives of countless individuals every day. All the money kindly donated by yourselves will fund medication and equipment which will be used for the sole aim of aiding these refugees.
What Is Happening In Lesvos?
Lesvos is geographically the closest point to Turkey by boat, and the most common point of access into Europe for refugees. However, in the last year, the number of refugees landing in Lesvos has grown exponentially.
In October 2014, less than 10,000 refugees arrived by sea to Europe. In the same month in 2015, this number has exploded to 210,000 refugees. So far in 2015 there have been 626,436 people arriving on the shores of Greece in a desperate bid to reach the safety of Europe. These numbers don’t account for the thousands of people that never survive the crossing.
Most of these refugees are from Syria and Afghanistan, a small number are from Somalia, Pakistan, Iraq and other countries. Most are in need of international protection because they are fleeing war, violence or persecution in their own countries, but all are in need of some form of medical attention.
Upon arrival in Greece, refugees are registered and kept in ‘camps’ until their registration is completed. A number of aid organisations are tirelessly working on the ground, running these camps and doing all they can to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. However, due to the recent swell in numbers of refugees, many people are left without medical care, and do reach a camp for several days. They are forced to sleep along unsheltered roads, vulnerable to the elements and are often without basic sanitation, food or water. Nighttime temperatures consistently fall below 10 degrees Celsius and there are currently also storms and heavy rain affecting this part of Greece. This is only set to get worse over the winter months.
What Can We Do To Help?
We have been in contact with two organisations working on the ground in Lesvos. The first co-ordinates the distribution of aid to refugees (clothes, food, toiletries, etc). The second co-ordinates medical teams working both on the shores and in the camps. We will be involved in treating those acutely unwell from conditions such as hypothermia and drowning, but are hoping to work with both organisations to provide help where we are most needed.
Training Ourselves And Others
We will be receiving training from an emergency medic and paediatrician in order to help prepare ourselves for situations we may encounter on Lesvos. On our return to the UK, we will set up a training programme including basic life support skills for future volunteers, employing our experiences of working in Lesvos.
The Money
We have funded our own flights and accommodation however we need to purchase and transport our own medical equipment and desperately need donations for the following:
- Medical equipment including defibrillators, airways, dressings and bandages from the UK;
- The funds to allow the replenishment of these items while in Greece (thus supporting the local community who have started stocking equipment in their shops especially to support the crisis);
- Any money left over will be allocated to medical organisations we are working with, to use how they best see fit.
In Summary
Please support us. The situation in Lesvos is worsening and is only set to deteriorate further as the refugee numbers swell and winter approaches. The crisis in Calais (from where Louise has recently returned) has already been subject to much media attention, however Lesvos has not had such exposure.
If you want to enquire further and find out more about how any funds will be spent, or suggest further things we might do to help, then please get in touch with us.
We will be as transparent as possible with all money donated and update anyone who supports us.
Thank you.
On the 25th November 2015, Louise Howitt and Lara Bowell will be travelling out to Lesvos, a small Greek island, which is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis that is taking the lives of countless individuals every day. All the money kindly donated by yourselves will fund medication and equipment which will be used for the sole aim of aiding these refugees.
What Is Happening In Lesvos?
Lesvos is geographically the closest point to Turkey by boat, and the most common point of access into Europe for refugees. However, in the last year, the number of refugees landing in Lesvos has grown exponentially.
In October 2014, less than 10,000 refugees arrived by sea to Europe. In the same month in 2015, this number has exploded to 210,000 refugees. So far in 2015 there have been 626,436 people arriving on the shores of Greece in a desperate bid to reach the safety of Europe. These numbers don’t account for the thousands of people that never survive the crossing.
Most of these refugees are from Syria and Afghanistan, a small number are from Somalia, Pakistan, Iraq and other countries. Most are in need of international protection because they are fleeing war, violence or persecution in their own countries, but all are in need of some form of medical attention.
Upon arrival in Greece, refugees are registered and kept in ‘camps’ until their registration is completed. A number of aid organisations are tirelessly working on the ground, running these camps and doing all they can to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. However, due to the recent swell in numbers of refugees, many people are left without medical care, and do reach a camp for several days. They are forced to sleep along unsheltered roads, vulnerable to the elements and are often without basic sanitation, food or water. Nighttime temperatures consistently fall below 10 degrees Celsius and there are currently also storms and heavy rain affecting this part of Greece. This is only set to get worse over the winter months.
What Can We Do To Help?
We have been in contact with two organisations working on the ground in Lesvos. The first co-ordinates the distribution of aid to refugees (clothes, food, toiletries, etc). The second co-ordinates medical teams working both on the shores and in the camps. We will be involved in treating those acutely unwell from conditions such as hypothermia and drowning, but are hoping to work with both organisations to provide help where we are most needed.
Training Ourselves And Others
We will be receiving training from an emergency medic and paediatrician in order to help prepare ourselves for situations we may encounter on Lesvos. On our return to the UK, we will set up a training programme including basic life support skills for future volunteers, employing our experiences of working in Lesvos.
The Money
We have funded our own flights and accommodation however we need to purchase and transport our own medical equipment and desperately need donations for the following:
- Medical equipment including defibrillators, airways, dressings and bandages from the UK;
- The funds to allow the replenishment of these items while in Greece (thus supporting the local community who have started stocking equipment in their shops especially to support the crisis);
- Any money left over will be allocated to medical organisations we are working with, to use how they best see fit.
In Summary
Please support us. The situation in Lesvos is worsening and is only set to deteriorate further as the refugee numbers swell and winter approaches. The crisis in Calais (from where Louise has recently returned) has already been subject to much media attention, however Lesvos has not had such exposure.
If you want to enquire further and find out more about how any funds will be spent, or suggest further things we might do to help, then please get in touch with us.
We will be as transparent as possible with all money donated and update anyone who supports us.
Thank you.
Organizer
Louise Howitt
Organizer
