URGENT refugee humanitarian aid
Donation protected
Hello friends, family and fellow human beings,
We are a group of International volunteers working with and fundraising on behalf of InterVolve, a non-profit humanitarian organisation which operates entirely upon donations and we URGENTLY need your support!
As you may have heard, the situation for refugees in Northern Greece is getting worse, due to many new arrivals and dwindling resources.
Currently, there are 1100 men, women and children residing in Koutsochero refugee camp alone. We also helped to set up a new camp in Volos three months ago, where we are still active. This new camp accounts for an additional 150 people. All families, all with small children. We also provide emergency support for people being held in the overcrowded detention centres.
70 new containers arrived in Koutsochero this week which are planned to house a further 350 people bringing the grand total of residents up to 1650 across the two camps.
At the same time as this, other actors are withdrawing, putting further responsibilities into the hands of InterVolve and needs are getting higher and higher. There are already around 200 unregistered people with no access to cash or any services at all, other that InterVolve’s. This includes medical attention.
Unfortunately our budget was never planned for the needs of so many people, which means we are running out of everything on a regular basis and general donations are decreasing. This also goes for the support we previously received from warehouses in Thessaloniki and Athens as their demands are also increasing.
InterVolve can make a difference by providing food, hygiene items, diapers, baby powder milk and clothing plus our regular activities. Koutsochero camp is located miles away from the nearest town or city which is very difficult and expensive for residents to get to. This means it is very isolated from the rest of society. InterVolve believes no-one should live in a camp, but while people do, they will continue to support residents as best they are able.
This is why we need YOU! If you have contacts to companies or foundations who could support us with dry food, hygiene items, diapers, etc or if you have some euros to spare - it would go a long way. We are also always looking for dedicated long term (2+ months) volunteers. If you are interested please apply here !
If you could also spread the word within your family and friends to raise even more attention, this would help an awful lot!
Read on for an updated list of the regular activities run by InterVolve in Koutsochero camp, visit their website and facebook page .
A full list of InterVolve Koutsochero’s regular activities:
A Free Shop
The shop offers fresh vegetables, dry food, hygiene, baby products and other items using a points based distribution system which increases choice and dignity compared with basic distributions. There is also a tool lending service where people can borrow tools, sewing machines, kitchen gadgets and more.
Children’s Library and Informal Education Activities
The library has books in most of the languages spoken in the camp and comfy reading areas. Attached is a beautiful play area built by the Timber Project where children can play and learn with each other, parents and volunteers.
Adult Education
There is a daily English Conversation club where adults can come to practise and expand upon their English Language Knowledge.
Youth Activities
As well as the library, teenagers also have their own time on the weekends to socialise, play and learn (without their younger siblings there cramping their style!).
The Pink House
Created along with residents (and pink upon their request), the pink house is a safe space for women to come have some time to themselves. Activities include a beauty salon, sewing machines, crafting, painting and more! They also have the opportunity to learn basic English for those who lack the confidence to join the co-ed classes.
Sewing Workshops
Every weekend, the community space is home to a number of sewing machines and materials for everyone to come and fix their old clothes and create new ones.
Movie Nights
On Saturdays their is a cinema club for kids and youth to come and relax togther in front of a good movie.
Men’s Activities
Despite being the largest demographic (68%), young men are a widely overlooked when it comes to humanitarian aid in refugee camps. InterVolve are the only organisation in Northern Greece to offer activities specifically for young men. Something which makes them feel valued and reduces boredom and the resultant risk of unrest within the community.
Skype Clinic
In order to start their asylum process in Greece, refugees have to first pre-register with the asylum service via Skype. The lines are only open for 1 - 2 hours per week per language. This means that the chances of getting though are miniscule. InterVolve set up a Skype clinic where they bring multiple devices onsite with which to call the asylum service in order to increase the chances of success and also to show solidarity with residents.
World Cup Project
Being located where it is and not having televisions, watching the World Cup was not a possibility for most residents of Koutsochero camp. Upon the request of the community, InterVove volunteers extended their working hours and put their heads together to come up with a solution to show every World Cup match - somewhere where all who wanted to could watch. The turn out has been phenomenal, by far the largest of any activity to date. With residents sitting and celebrating together no matter their age, gender, religion, culture or nationality demonstrating the power football has to bring people together.
Special Projects
As with the World Cup project, we are always trying to be innovative and respond to the needs of the community whilst also finding ways to bring them together.
We are a group of International volunteers working with and fundraising on behalf of InterVolve, a non-profit humanitarian organisation which operates entirely upon donations and we URGENTLY need your support!
As you may have heard, the situation for refugees in Northern Greece is getting worse, due to many new arrivals and dwindling resources.
Currently, there are 1100 men, women and children residing in Koutsochero refugee camp alone. We also helped to set up a new camp in Volos three months ago, where we are still active. This new camp accounts for an additional 150 people. All families, all with small children. We also provide emergency support for people being held in the overcrowded detention centres.
70 new containers arrived in Koutsochero this week which are planned to house a further 350 people bringing the grand total of residents up to 1650 across the two camps.
At the same time as this, other actors are withdrawing, putting further responsibilities into the hands of InterVolve and needs are getting higher and higher. There are already around 200 unregistered people with no access to cash or any services at all, other that InterVolve’s. This includes medical attention.
Unfortunately our budget was never planned for the needs of so many people, which means we are running out of everything on a regular basis and general donations are decreasing. This also goes for the support we previously received from warehouses in Thessaloniki and Athens as their demands are also increasing.
InterVolve can make a difference by providing food, hygiene items, diapers, baby powder milk and clothing plus our regular activities. Koutsochero camp is located miles away from the nearest town or city which is very difficult and expensive for residents to get to. This means it is very isolated from the rest of society. InterVolve believes no-one should live in a camp, but while people do, they will continue to support residents as best they are able.
This is why we need YOU! If you have contacts to companies or foundations who could support us with dry food, hygiene items, diapers, etc or if you have some euros to spare - it would go a long way. We are also always looking for dedicated long term (2+ months) volunteers. If you are interested please apply here !
If you could also spread the word within your family and friends to raise even more attention, this would help an awful lot!
Read on for an updated list of the regular activities run by InterVolve in Koutsochero camp, visit their website and facebook page .
A full list of InterVolve Koutsochero’s regular activities:
A Free Shop
The shop offers fresh vegetables, dry food, hygiene, baby products and other items using a points based distribution system which increases choice and dignity compared with basic distributions. There is also a tool lending service where people can borrow tools, sewing machines, kitchen gadgets and more.
Children’s Library and Informal Education Activities
The library has books in most of the languages spoken in the camp and comfy reading areas. Attached is a beautiful play area built by the Timber Project where children can play and learn with each other, parents and volunteers.
Adult Education
There is a daily English Conversation club where adults can come to practise and expand upon their English Language Knowledge.
Youth Activities
As well as the library, teenagers also have their own time on the weekends to socialise, play and learn (without their younger siblings there cramping their style!).
The Pink House
Created along with residents (and pink upon their request), the pink house is a safe space for women to come have some time to themselves. Activities include a beauty salon, sewing machines, crafting, painting and more! They also have the opportunity to learn basic English for those who lack the confidence to join the co-ed classes.
Sewing Workshops
Every weekend, the community space is home to a number of sewing machines and materials for everyone to come and fix their old clothes and create new ones.
Movie Nights
On Saturdays their is a cinema club for kids and youth to come and relax togther in front of a good movie.
Men’s Activities
Despite being the largest demographic (68%), young men are a widely overlooked when it comes to humanitarian aid in refugee camps. InterVolve are the only organisation in Northern Greece to offer activities specifically for young men. Something which makes them feel valued and reduces boredom and the resultant risk of unrest within the community.
Skype Clinic
In order to start their asylum process in Greece, refugees have to first pre-register with the asylum service via Skype. The lines are only open for 1 - 2 hours per week per language. This means that the chances of getting though are miniscule. InterVolve set up a Skype clinic where they bring multiple devices onsite with which to call the asylum service in order to increase the chances of success and also to show solidarity with residents.
World Cup Project
Being located where it is and not having televisions, watching the World Cup was not a possibility for most residents of Koutsochero camp. Upon the request of the community, InterVove volunteers extended their working hours and put their heads together to come up with a solution to show every World Cup match - somewhere where all who wanted to could watch. The turn out has been phenomenal, by far the largest of any activity to date. With residents sitting and celebrating together no matter their age, gender, religion, culture or nationality demonstrating the power football has to bring people together.
Special Projects
As with the World Cup project, we are always trying to be innovative and respond to the needs of the community whilst also finding ways to bring them together.
Fundraising team: InterVolve Koutoschero Volunteer Team (6)
Imi O'Neill
Organizer
Sven Weiss
Team member
Carla Regany Ramon
Team member
Jessica Unsworth
Team member
Julie Verburg
Team member
