Help in Lesbos
Alexander Leyde (Netherlands)
We help refugees arriving on Lesbos. From the Netherlands, the foundation coordinates volunteers on the island. An average day usually starts early in the morning to help get refugee boats ashore. We give them dry clothes and shoes, as well as food and water. We then bring the people to a bus stop in Molyvos. A hike of about 7 km. A journey that is long for mothers and children.
The volunteers make sure their car is well stocked with food and water, so that wherever they are, they can eat and drink. In the afternoon, the volunteers often visit the makeshift camp in Mitilni to hand out clothes, water and toys. In the house of the two volunteers are stored a lot of stuff, like clothes, shoes and other necessary things. Other things, we buy on the spot. The refugees arriving generally have nothing on them.
In recent weeks, the reports from Lesbos are that the situation is deteriorating. There are now 13,000 people. The makeshift camps are overcrowded. There is unrest and there are major logistical problems. The Greek authorities are not cooperating. They have forbidden buses and taxis from taking refugees. That means that people have to walk more than 60 km. In the heat. With their children.
Volunteers indicate that the work is physically (from 05:00 until midnight) and emotionally exhausting. We are preparing for a violent week. But we are in this together.
Read more about Help in Lesbos (Dutch).
Excerpt from #FrontièresWalls — Volume 1 Issue 1 of STORIES. Full text available in the print publication.
