Just like on the neighbouring island of Lesbos refugees arrive on Chios every day up to 2000 from the Turkish coast. Voluntary supporters take on the beach in reception, provide them with clothes and take care of cases of hypothermia. Also help the volunteers in the camps with the dress issue, Cook food and give it to the refugees. Partly, it is the only way for seeking protection board to get. The support structure of ER is still relatively young and cluttered.
We were lucky and came into it thanks to our prior research and the right Hostel in the structures of the volunteers on the ground. However, requires much time gathering information and building contacts. One aspect of our work will be so direct work on research and networks for the group in the second week of January. Directly at the harbour in the city is a so-called congestion camp, where refugees wait, if the other camps are crowded. Here, we could speak with some seeking protection and Exchange contacts. Among other things there is also a Kurdish family, who had to make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean on the island with their children, including a just 4 weeks (!) old boy, waiting.
Currently only a few boats arriving due to the bad weather, the camps are mostly empty. We use the time in addition to the networking for our documentation on the situation of place and people. We conduct interviews with refugees and volunteers, visit new and current camps and to prepare this information for you. It's incredible what happens here on the ground and how much the European Union the rights of people seeking protection with feet. In addition we take relatively large 7 seater transport tasks with our.
The biggest challenge was the transport of a 9-member family. The youngest of their children (3 months old) was emaciated found – totally by an activist in a camp and weakened, the authorities offered no help. €5000 were collected, to organize a rescue flight, because there was not the appropriate medical help here on the island. Why, here again the EU and European States provide assistance, remains in the dark. You have to say volunteers has saved the lives of the children. Volunteers were then helped to bring the rest of the family to Athens and we took over the ride to the port. We wish you all the best of the family, she's better now again the child to the lucky.
You will learn on our channels on our work and commitment. We appreciate your feedback, your donations and of course if you want to join us in the future on tour!