Saturday 31 October 2015

Crossing the Border


Damaris, Jan and I had the opportunity to go and visit the border crossing that the refugees use to leave Greece on their onward journey to western Europe.

With the help of the local Salvation Army officers, Leutenants Neofytos and Anastasia, we were able to drive from Thessaloniki, an hour's journey to Eidomeni.



Eidomeni is a very small village of only about 100 people and it is about 5km to the west of the official border crossing. 
It is in fact the last railway station town before a train will cross into FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).



Here, as it can be seen in this picture, the two States, thankfully, have agreed to let the refugees pass without proper immigration or customs controls.

This is such an amazing gesture because the alternative for the refugees would haven been to pay smugglers a handsome amount of money to smuggle them through the border.




We were able to meet Luca, the UNHCR coordinator, who took the time to explain the setting and then walked with us to show us how the camp works. 


We were all quite impressed; and Damaris, who's got a great amount of experience, said that this was one of the best-run camps.



The numbers of people crossing per day in October is (as you can see in this photo from the board in the UNHCR office) from 4,306 to 10,490.

The way things work - and they work well – is that as the buses arrive (up to 100 buses sometimes) they are made to wait so that one bus-load of people are let into the camp at a time. 



Each bus load is given a group number and this group stays together for the entire walk through the camp.

Once the group is given a number, they walk first by the food stall where they receive some food and water. 



From there they pass by the medical tents which are manned by the Red Cross, Doctors of the Word and MSF (Doctors Without Borders), in case someone needs help. 



Then on to one of three rub halls (huge tents).

Within those tents they can rest (especially if it's raining) or even chill out and enjoy a game of cards as our friends pictured here. Toilets and drinking water are accessible just outside the rub halls.


When the group is called, they move on to the Departure Tent and then from there it's only a matter of a short time before they go out to cross the border.


The majority of buses arrive either in the morning or in the evening. That of course is connected to the fact that the ferries arrive in Peraeus from the islands either in the morning if it was a night crossing, or in the evening if it was a day crossing. 

The buses would leave either from Peraeus or from around Victoria square and after a 7 or 8 hour journey they arrive at the border. 

Depending on whether a refugee's bus is the first in the queue or the last the border crossing may take anything between 30 minutes and 7 hours.


In this picture our team is watching as the refugees finally walk from Greece into FYROM, past the few policemen who stand there watching.

Their journey through Greece has ended. Now they will be able to board the train or a bus and in 4 hours they will reach the Serbian border.

In the conversation with Luca we were able to get a feeling for where the “gaps” may be.

Since The Salvation Army has no clear mandate (i.e. MSF has a clear mandate to offer medical assistance) what it best does is trying to fill in those gaps that seem to always exist.

What we found is that there is a huge need for raincoats and as the winter kicks in there will be a great need for hats, scarves, gloves and warm socks.


On our walk about the camp we had the chance to speak with some of the refugees most of whom have their hearts set on going to Germany. 
Damaris, who is a native German, was very popular as she would say something like: “I'm from Germany, see you there”. 

As she would say this, rays of hope would brighten their troubled life and big broad smiles would be painted on the faces of those very tired people.

Later on we had the opportunity to meet with Nikos, the IOM coordinator. 



Both Luca and Nikos are very dedicated young men. They (and with them a great host of humanitarian workers and volunteers) work tirelessly so that the refugees will be treated with dignity as they cross through our lands to reach their destination; the country that will offer them peace, security and a better tomorrow.

We further explored with Nikos what the gaps might be and how our local Salvation Army officers may respond in assisting all the agencies present to make this crossing  as good as it can be.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

St Paul's, UNHCR and Milk


This morning I went with the team to meet the vicar of St Paul's, the Athens Anglican church.
Of course our discussion was very much centred on the refugee crisis and the church's response. The local Salvation Army has had a very good relationship with the Anglican church as well as the other churches of the Churches Together group.
All are very keen to work together in meeting some of the needs of the refugees, and the Revd Canon Malcolm Bradshaw (pictured here talking to the team) has been appealing to the Anglican Communion around the world for funding to help in this crisis.


From there we went to the UNHCR office to meet with staff and discuss a coordinated approach. It was a very useful meeting and it did help to clarify for us what the needs and the gaps are in the humanitarian provision.
It does appear that almost all the NGOS have gone to the islands and hardly anyone has a presence here in Athens. This was a confirmation to Polis and Maria who from the beginning of this crisis they were convinced that their place of service was here in Athens.
Victoria square has been their patch and it was confirmed by UNHCR that there is a need here and this is where they ought to be.
We also found out about the need in both Athens and Thessaloniki for storage of NFIs (non food items) and the logistics involved in the storage and distribution. We are very glad to have Jan here who is head of logistics for the Salvation Army in the Nederlands. I believe he's got a very important role to play in this humanitarian relief work that we engage in.

After that, on to Victoria square to meet and talk with some of the people there. I had a chat with Ali and his friends who have been on the march for nearly a month. He's been waiting for 4 days now for money to arrive from Afghanistan.

Today many in the square could feel the cold and I just hope and pray that we can soon set up a better system by which we can give all the clothes that the refugees may need.

Our need is for a very large warehouse and Coca-Cola has offered a 2,000 square meter warehouse, which will be ideal. It does however take time as all the legal paper work needs to be in place before we can start using it.

We are also looking for a big enough shop which can be used as a distribution centre. Once this is set the refugees will have the opportunity to come and collect the clothing they need and be on their way. This will help in a big way to prepare the refugees for the winter and the cold weather they will certainly meet on their way.
We have about 6 containers waiting to come to Athens with clothing and Jan is getting very impatient to get this system running before he goes back to Holland.  Please pray with us for this need.

Later on we distributed cartons of milk for the children which were very gratefully received. Maria and Damaris also gave out to mothers of babies packages of nappies and other baby items.

Travelling to Thessaloniki tomorrow.



Tuesday 27 October 2015

Continuing to asses the needs and meeting a hotelier

This morning we met with Daniel Esdras, chief of mission of IOM Greece. A lovely man with a big heart for refugees.
He helped our team to get a better picture of the refugee crisis and was able to update us on the situation after the recent meeting of the EU leaders.
The numbers are just so overwhelming that no one knows how they will cope. In many ways people are praying that during the winter months things will slow down so that no lives will be lost because of the cold and the rough seas.
One thing that I was helped to understand was that the people smugglers are well organised on route all the way from the countries of origin to the countries of destination.  The refugees who get on this big march pay a price to a smuggling ring to guide them all the way on their journey. They are the ones who through their mobile phones guide the people of where to catch the buses in Athens - a price that I heard was 7 to 10 thousand - and where and when to go to the borders and then they are guided as they go through the Balkan countries etc...
Every day my eyes continue to open to the fact that things are much more complicated than I knew them to be. This is why these meetings are very important in helping us to asses the needs and the gaps that exist and better co-ordinate with all those who seek to help.

Later on we had a meeting with  members of an association of hoteliers here in Greece who were asking us about how could they best help the refugees. They were asking if through The Salvation Army they could provide accommodation or bedding or food etc...
Thank God for people who in the midst of this crisis continue to ask: "How can I help". The situation indeed is so overwhelming but if more and more people ask "how can I help" we and those other organisations who are seeking to help, may be able to respond in a more comprehensive way.
The Team 
(Left to right: Rik, Damaris, Maria, Jo, Polis, Jan and me)

Monday 26 October 2015

Help is here

A short post this evening as it is already quite late and I've got an early start tomorrow morning.
The good news is that Damaris, Jo and Rik from the International Headquarters of The Salvation Army have come. We will be working together over the next week in trying to assess what should The Salvation Army's response be to the refugee crisis, beyond what the local Salvation Army already does.
Off tomorrow morning to an early meeting with the IOM (International Organisation for Migration).

Sunday 25 October 2015

So much suffering

We had a late night last night talking about donated cloths and recycling and how we could best set this up here in Athens to help the refugees. Jan, of course, is an expert coming from the Netherlands with an experience of more than 10 years as head of the logistics for The Salvation Army's recycling.
It was refreshing to hear also of the vision and dreams of Major Polis Pantelidis for the things that The Salvation Army could offer in this city.
It was so late by the time we finished that I had no strength to sit in front of my laptop and share with you my news.

Yesterday Jan and I walked around the city checking out some of the spots that refugees migrated in the past: Omonoia square and Pedion tou Areos. We've heard reports that tents started going up again in these places. We went to check it out and found that these were false reports.



Walked through Victoria Square once again and I had a chat with some more Afghan young people.

I would agree with the UNHCR that we see more and more Afghan families now and not just single young men as was the case a little while ago.





I got to speaking with Mohamed Rahim (pictured here 3rd from the left) who told me that as his crossing the sea with his friends, to get into Greece their outboard motor stopped. They all panicked and din't know what to do. Thankfully the sea was calm and so they sat there quietly hopping for the best. An hour or two later a helicopter spotted them and soon help arrived and they were towed to safety. I was so happy to hear that there was a happy ending to this story.


But in the evening news we've heard of a 2 year old child slipping through its life-jacket and falling in the sea. Despite the desperate attempts of the parents and those on board to locate the child, this was yet another child that was lost at sea.


Νεκροί γυναίκα και δύο παιδιά σε ναυάγιο ανοιχτά της ΛέσβουTragically again on the news today we hear that a mother and two children died and 7 people are still lost on the shores of Lesvos island. The plastic boat and its 63 passengers capsized as it crashed on rocks in rough seas.
(Photo courtesy of ΑΠΕ, source: http://news.in.gr/)

O the desperation that drives these refugees to risk their lives with the hope of a better future for them and their children.
The pain and the endless sorrow that tragedies like these bring on the families of those already suffering people!



 So glad to see young mums like this in the square who made it safe with their children.

May God help this little child to live happily ever after and may God comfort the hearts of those who morn for their family members who died on this great march.

On the news again this evening that the FYROM borders may close. Is there more suffering ahead?





Friday 23 October 2015

Gratefulness and Frustration


My two main feelings today were gratefulness and frustration.

After a time of prayer and devotions in which we reflected that the only right motive for the type of work we do is: Love; we set off to go and visit the Refugee Camp in Galatsi.

This is set at the Olympic Games installations in Galatsi on the same side of Athens as we are based. On a day like today when the rain was coming down relentlessly I was just so grateful that there was a place where the refugees could remain dry, fed and safe. My heart was grateful that the Mayor of Galatsi and the local Council have decided to open the doors of the Stadium. There are two big halls, one for families and the other for single men. The numbers they could cater for, is around 700 but there had been days that they had up to 1,300. This morning there were around 500. Refugees are taken on buses for free from Victoria Square or straight from the port of Pereaus  and they are free to come and go as they please at any time of day or night.
This of course makes their stay of Athens a much safer and pleasant experience. I just hope that more of the people who hang around the city squares would take advantage of the opportunity. But some seem to be afraid thinking that they may be forced to register to seek asylum in Greece when they have their eyes set on Germany or Sweden or one of the other prosperous European countries.
Jan feels that the fact that it is policemen who direct people to the buses may be one of the reasons why people may be afraid to board such buses. Perhaps this may be something we could bring up at our next meeting with the UNHCR, that maybe an NGO could take on this, rather than the police.

We got to speak with one of the Council officials who was heading the operation at that given time who shared his joys and his frustrations. A vast amount of volunteers makes the running of the camp possible. Breakfast and lunch is provided by the navy and the airforce. Besides food and cloths, medical care is also provided and we saw some young men enjoying a game of football. All in all it was a very encouraging experience for me which made me grateful for the local government's provision.

In the afternoon we went back to Victoria square and by then the rain was quite heavy. I huddled together with a group of Pakistani young men under a balcony sharing with them a common cause: trying to stay dry. I got to talk with Bashart Ali (pictured here standing next to me) who told me that the whole group of men have come from Sheikupura, about 20 Km from Lahore, seeking a better future in Europe. I've asked about their journey and they told me how they found the sea-crossing very scary. The sea was quite rough and their little plastic boats were tossed up and down, but they were relieved to reach the shores of Greece. I've asked about the price of their crossing and they told me that they paid about $1,200 each. There were 18 of them in the smaller boats and 30 odd in the bigger ones.
How can one not feel empathy for fellow men and women who go through such dangers to reach a place of safety; a place where they may stand a chance for a better future.

A group of volunteers came from the Salvation Army Hall to distribute some rain coats and dry socks but they were too few to go around the crowd in the square, and alas, we had no more to give. One of the volunteers walked to the local supermarket and bought some big black bin bags and passed them around to people to offer some protection from the rain.
O the frustration of seeing people wet and not being able to offer a raincoat. Perhaps God will answer our prayers and some more funding will come so we could buy raincoats and warm clothing as the weather changes and the winter kicks in. 

Thursday 22 October 2015

Stories

As I sit in front of my laptop at the end of this day the word that comes to mind is "stories". Stories I can tell about things that I've lived today. More than this; stories that I've heard from my brothers on the march.
After a night of heavy rain and thunder, the morning started with a visit to the local Salvation Army hall and a while later to Victoria Square.
Maria (the local SA officer), Jan (my IES colleague) and I went to the square  but soon the rain started and we sought shelter under a cafeteria's canopy. Soon we were sharing the space with a number of Afghan refugees.

I got to speaking with Bahbood (pictured here next to me) who is one of seven brothers and sisters. He is on the big march with his sister, her husband and their two children 10 and 1 years old. They spoke of suffering, of a life lived in fear and insecurity.
They spoke of young men well educated who are not able to make a living or know that there may be a tomorrow for them.
Being a father myself, I ask the question: "How can a mother or father not want a tomorrow for his children in a land where there is safety above all?"


Then I got to speaking with Noor (pictured here) and some of his friends
 As we were speaking the cafeteria owner came threatening to take down the canopy because my friends' rucksacks were leaning against his young olive trees.
I've heard from Noor of their march that took them 30 days, of the dangers, the threats, of smugglers who would cut a person's nose or an ear because they didn't respond to demands for more money. He spoke of crossing the sea and arriving in Greece, of the relief of making it alive to Europe. And he finally spoke of his sadness about the violence that he saw within the camp in the Greek islands, as they waited to be registered, and of the lack of food and water.
As we were leaving, we witnessed some of the Afghan refugees leaving the square and recommencing their march towards a bus that was waiting to take them to the Greek border. I couldn't understand why they were being led by someone holding a mobile phone and acting suspiciously. I said to Maria, "I cannot understand this. One of them showed us his ticket that they paid to get on the bus". Maria had to enlighten me that although the ticket was for 35 euros, these young Afghans probably paid 50 or more to those traffickers.

Back to the hall and we all gave a hand to bring in a shipment of goods from Holland that DHL dropped.  Dutch Parcels, a charity from Holland sends shipments of clothes on a daily basis.

The joke of the day is that after I had finished speaking with my Afghan friends (earlier today) and I turned to go, I saw many of the refugees wearing raincoats in all colours and shapes. "Some charity must have come and given these raincoats" I said to Jan and Maria. They both started laughing and soon explained that while I was "skiving" a group of volunteers came from the hall bringing the raincoats which they helped to distribute. I must say, a sense of pride came upon me as I heard that we were the ones who also cared to protect the refugees from the rain  in the square.

Finally at 4 pm we made it back home for some lunch and at 6, Jan and I were back at the square.

I was so happy to see Noor again whom I thought would have gone by now. Their stay in the square is not long. They come to find transport to get to the border.
Then I understood the reason of why Noor and his friends were still around. Speaking with Noor, Hashmant and Behroz (pictured here with Jan) I found out that they ran out of money and had to wait for their families to transfer some money to them.
"Through Western Union?" I've asked naively.
I was to be enlightened by my friends that because they had no ID as such to receive money they had to depend on people who obviously were taking advantage of this whole situation. They are people of Afghan origin who have settled in this country; the money is transferred to them and they receive a 20% commission.

I feel sick with the idea that one can try to take advantage in such a ruthless way from people who have taken their lives in their hands in order to escape conflict and persecution.

My three young friends, all graduates of Economics, told me of the suffering of their people the Hazara. Being Shia they have become a target by the Sunni Taliban who believe them to be heretics. They kill the Hazara people who are 15% of the Afghan population just because they are not like them.  The words of Pascal came to me who said: "Men never do evil so cheerfully and freely as when they do it in the name of religion".
When I was leaving my corps to come to Greece I was handed some money by our Cameo Club and corps members to help someone. I took 50 euros out of my pocket gave it to them and said: "This may help". They were very touched. It's the seeds of kindness we sow, I thought to myself, that may help heal the trauma that these people have lived for years.
 .
Then back to the Hall and the making of sandwiches was in full swing. There were days that the volunteers at the Corps made up to 1,000 sandwiches to distribute to the refugees. This evening was a quiet one, a little over a hundred would be sufficient. 
With funding received from the International Headquarters of The Salvation Army, the corps has distributed well over 20,000 sandwiches. Polis told me that they have lost count by now. 

We gave a hand to finish, and Polis, Jan, Kostas (a volunteer who is blind and comes and helps with the wrapping up of sandwiches) and I went back to the square with 120 double sandwiches and 60 litres of milk.
Within a few minutes it was all distributed to Afghan men women and children. Their hearts full of gratitude and our hearts full of thanks to God that He would chose to use even us to bring some sense of comfort, love and reconciliation. 

Back home, exhausted but happy.
What a day!

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Meeting at the UNHCR


Image result for UNHCR

Today I sat at a 2 hour meeting headed by Ms. Alessandra Morelli, Senior Operations Coordinator, UNHCR. 
Prior to coming to Greece there hasn't been much news coverage in the UK in regards to the Refugee Crisis which makes one think that the crisis is slowing down or going away. 
For this reason I was just astounded to hear that the record day for crossing over to Greece was actually the day before yesterday when 9,500 people landed on the Greek islands in one day alone.
The average arrivals for October is 5,900 and as Ms Morelli said the No 1 priority now for all humanitarian response should be what she termed, "Operation Winter". She echoed the UN High Commissioner for Refugees who said that not one person should die because of the winter in what has come to be called "The Great March".
She urged Church leaders to lobby their governments and the EU to provide more accommodation places in the islands. Only 7,000 places are to be provided by the end of November when the advocacy was for 50,000. Ms Morelli said that she fears that we will be having a crisis within the crisis.
The number of people who have crossed over to Greece this years has risen to 510,000 as of yesterday. In October 65,000 landed in Lesvos island alone, 23% of whom are children.
It is now becoming clear that the number of Syrian refugees is slowing down and yet the number of Afghans is rapidly increasing as the smugglers lower their prices. Yet it is quiet apparent that in the EU the non-Syrians are very much discriminated.

As I share with you this, I think how often when we use big numbers like this, we forget that each number is a fellow human being, a person made in the image and likeness of God, therefore precious in God's eyes.

I was just so honoured and grateful today to be in the same room with people who are passionate for defending, providing, protecting and caring for our fellow human beings who are in this Great March.

The Salvation Army in Greece, although very small, has been working tirelessly to provide whatever help they could give with food, drink, clothing, items for children etc. Today the 2nd member of our deployed team from the International Emergency Services has arrived and on Monday the 3rd person would arrive to complete the team. 

Pray with me that God will give us wisdom as we work together with The Salvation Army in Greece to try and fill some of the gaps that exist in the humanitarian response to this mega crisis that takes place in Europe today.

Tuesday 20 October 2015

What Story Can These Feet Tell?

As I walked through the streets of Athens today I saw a pair of feet that spoke volumes to me. I reflected on my rather comfortable existence in Kent being able to wash on a daily basis, having food and shelter and more...
What about him? How far did he walk? When was the last time that he was able to have a shower? Why? Isn't he one of God's little creatures? Why some of us have it so good and some suffer like this?

Then I walked through Victoria square which is a stone's throw from where The Salvation Army is based. The buses had come and picked over a 1,000 refugees but some were still lingering around? Have they reached safety? How much more would they have to travel? Is someone going to help them on the way?
Major Maria (Polis' wife) went together with other ladies today at lunch time and gave the children a small rucksack that they could take with them with some small necessities such as water, toys and some food. The words of Jesus, from the Gospel, comes to me: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers or sisters you did it to me"

Monday 19 October 2015

Arrived in Athens

Arrived safely in Athens around 6pm, was picked at the airport by my good friend Major Polis Pantelidis who is putting me up for a few days.
Had a drink of juice and off we went to collect some donated clothing, on to the storage and the Salvation Army hall. By the time we unloaded it was nearly 9.30 pm.
After that we went for a walk around Victoria Square, where up until a few days ago over 1,000 refugees would camp out waiting to catch a bus to the border on the following day. In the last week or so, the police clears the square several times a day and they bus people to a stadium. Only a handful of refugee families were there at that time of night.
On Wednesday I shall be attending a UNHCR meeting seeking to be informed and network with the various agencies and NGOs that work on the refugee crisis. 

Friday 2 October 2015

Delayed

I have received word from International Headquarters to say that for various reasons the trip is delayed.
The new proposed date is now the 19th of October.