Sumita (& Team)'s Greece Crisis
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For the last 9 years I volunteered for a homeless charity running a homeless shelter in London, over the Christmas period. I am also trustee of a homeless charity in St Albans. In 2015, watching the events in Europe unfold, i decided to go out to Greece to help out with the bigger Crisis which was unfolding over there. This proved to be an eye-opener for many reasons. With the genorisity of friends and colleagues, i took out sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothes, medical items and money… it was all very much needed. The money came in really useful to feed people hot meals, a basic need that we all take for granted but is actually a rare commodity out there in Europe’s biggest humanitarian crisis. In fact, the crisis over there is pretty much about that first step in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: (food, water, shelter and clothing/warmth). I also purchased rucksacks for people who were carrying all their possessions in bin bags.
Since my Christmas trip, I have been watching avidly events unfold in Greece and across Europe. I thought the situation over Christmas was pretty dire to say the least. I couldn't believe that it could get any worse. Well, it has. Much much worse, more than you can imagine... In the last 10 days alone, Athens has seen more than 18000 people arriving at the Port of Piraeus. For a few months now, Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans were making their way from Athens to the Greek/Macedonian Border and onward to other countries. However in February, this suddenly changed. Europe made a decision, with no warning and no explanation to stop Afghans crossing the border, as they have now classed Afghanistan as a safe country. This has therefore left more than 12000 refugees displaced. Many of the refugees who have boarded buses to the borders are either being dropped part-way to the border with no shelter or being transported back to Athens. All the camps and shelters in Athens are now full to capacity. The Port of Piraeus’ passenger terminals are full of refugees stuck with nowhere to go. I have seen eye witness accounts (including videos) of people being mistreated. Families with children and babies are being locked up in detention centres with very little by way of basic provisions. There are many many accounts of human rights violations across Europe.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/23/greece-refugees-gather-in-athens-hope-despair
An eye witness account (from a Spanish volunteer) of the inhumane treatment of refugees, I have paraphrased:
'To get to Athens from the Greek islands on the ferry, refugees are asked to pay 45€. This is the same fare as 'normal' passengers. But...that’s where any equality ends... refugees are segregated from the rest of the passengers, are made to sit on the floor even though there are plenty of empty seats on the other side, they are whipped (yes whipped) and verbally abused by the Greek police.. through all of this, they still continue to remain humble, accept this is their current destiny and smile......'
Suffice to say, Greece and, in particular, Athens is not coping. This last weekend, I went back out again. I saw families with very small babies and children out in the Square or on the streets. The port was full to the brim. Many people were sick. Food has become scarce again. Help is mostly provided by groups of amazing but independent volunteers. But many of them are tired and struggling under the pressure of what they have been dealing with for months. The situation was horrendous. Each night boats were coming in with more refugees. Athens is bursting at the seams. There is a lack of everything. Food and water remains the most scarce item.
I am and will continue to fund all my trips myself, flights etc, and i will also fund food/water for the refugees as much as i can.
I have posted my Christmas and last weekend blog to this campaign so that people can read about my experience. So far the donations have been coming directly to me but friends have wanted to share my campaign wider and therefore i have decided to set up this page.
At Easter, i have a team of Crisis volunteers coming out with me which i am excited about.
I know you all give a lot to varying charities, but if anyone wants to help fund donations and help us to help them, then we will be very grateful. Whatever funds we raise will be used for refugees: food; water; rucksacks, baby carriers, and other priority items.
thanks in advance for your support xx
Since my Christmas trip, I have been watching avidly events unfold in Greece and across Europe. I thought the situation over Christmas was pretty dire to say the least. I couldn't believe that it could get any worse. Well, it has. Much much worse, more than you can imagine... In the last 10 days alone, Athens has seen more than 18000 people arriving at the Port of Piraeus. For a few months now, Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans were making their way from Athens to the Greek/Macedonian Border and onward to other countries. However in February, this suddenly changed. Europe made a decision, with no warning and no explanation to stop Afghans crossing the border, as they have now classed Afghanistan as a safe country. This has therefore left more than 12000 refugees displaced. Many of the refugees who have boarded buses to the borders are either being dropped part-way to the border with no shelter or being transported back to Athens. All the camps and shelters in Athens are now full to capacity. The Port of Piraeus’ passenger terminals are full of refugees stuck with nowhere to go. I have seen eye witness accounts (including videos) of people being mistreated. Families with children and babies are being locked up in detention centres with very little by way of basic provisions. There are many many accounts of human rights violations across Europe.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/23/greece-refugees-gather-in-athens-hope-despair
An eye witness account (from a Spanish volunteer) of the inhumane treatment of refugees, I have paraphrased:
'To get to Athens from the Greek islands on the ferry, refugees are asked to pay 45€. This is the same fare as 'normal' passengers. But...that’s where any equality ends... refugees are segregated from the rest of the passengers, are made to sit on the floor even though there are plenty of empty seats on the other side, they are whipped (yes whipped) and verbally abused by the Greek police.. through all of this, they still continue to remain humble, accept this is their current destiny and smile......'
Suffice to say, Greece and, in particular, Athens is not coping. This last weekend, I went back out again. I saw families with very small babies and children out in the Square or on the streets. The port was full to the brim. Many people were sick. Food has become scarce again. Help is mostly provided by groups of amazing but independent volunteers. But many of them are tired and struggling under the pressure of what they have been dealing with for months. The situation was horrendous. Each night boats were coming in with more refugees. Athens is bursting at the seams. There is a lack of everything. Food and water remains the most scarce item.
I am and will continue to fund all my trips myself, flights etc, and i will also fund food/water for the refugees as much as i can.
I have posted my Christmas and last weekend blog to this campaign so that people can read about my experience. So far the donations have been coming directly to me but friends have wanted to share my campaign wider and therefore i have decided to set up this page.
At Easter, i have a team of Crisis volunteers coming out with me which i am excited about.
I know you all give a lot to varying charities, but if anyone wants to help fund donations and help us to help them, then we will be very grateful. Whatever funds we raise will be used for refugees: food; water; rucksacks, baby carriers, and other priority items.
thanks in advance for your support xx
Organizer
Sumita Shah
Organizer
