During our journey back to the borders we had to witness for two weeks the situation for newly arrived refugees in Lesvos getting worse day by day.
More and more children, mothers, fathers and grandparents are risking their lives by crossing the Aegean sea.
After arriving and being thankful for surviving they are faced with the unbearable situation in Lesvos.
Walking in the sun for 2 – 68 km, waiting in dirty parking lots, at the port, in makeshift refugee camps like Kara Tepe and outside and inside the Detention center of Moria and elsewhere.
The Situation at other European arrival and transit points like Kos or Idomeni is not better.
It is time for the competent authorities of the European Union to provide for Ferries transporting refugees to Europe in a respectful and save way. Freedom of Movement for everybody!
Last night w2eu and JOG hosted a welcome party in the selforganized space PIKPA to welcome and exchange with the refugees staying there. Over the last three year this became a PIKPA – w2eu – JOG Tradition.
The musicians Leon, Leo and Max traveled from Berlin and Istanbul to be part of the JOURNEY BACK TO THE BORDER and managed again for everybody to forget their sorrows for a few hours by singing and dancing.
The solidarity kitchen ALLOS ANTHROPOS had cooked all day -> food cooked with love and solidarity.
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There was good connection between all the group’s (w2eu, JOG and cristian peacemakers —)and the refugee’s and specially the children. Together with them we played, painted and in the night we all dance together. After we had some Music we had an open Mike for everyone to contribute. One of the Syrian boy’s, maybe 12 years old, made hip-hop music about his country, his Journey through Turkey and Greece. He also sang also about being a 12 year old boy living with his parents and all the problems, for example putting the stereo too loud or not cleaning his own room.
Articel in Greek about arrivals in Lesvos.
More than 33.000 refugees arrived on Lesvos in August 2015.
9,464 Refugees arrived in Lesvos in the Week from Friday, August 14 and the night of Wednesday, August 19. (More Statistics here.)
Currently there are around 9.500 refugees on the island. They stay in the overcrowded
Moria detention center, in a provisional camp outside the Moria detention center, in the arrival points Molivos, Sikaminia,Klio and Kaloni.
Solidarity groups take care of them.
An industry using the situation of the recently arriving refugees has grown, selling them everything they need overpriced: water for the double, taxis taking 50€ for every distance, hotels refusing them except if they pay triple the price.
i dont now how to start but i will try, when i arrived in Mitilini the first time to support the refugees and migrants it just felt like i saw my self 6 years ago when i was a migrants myself and left my home,family and friends for a good future.
it was so heart breaking to see people in that situation and i could not help them as much as i want because i know the feeling of being in that situation and feeling helpless and the only thing you want is peace and having a chance for a good future and make your family proud of you.
Today I am happy that i left everything and went to Europe because it was a dream for some years ago. Now i am here at the same place, supporting the people who are fleeing from war and wanting the same thing that i wanted some years ago.
The most important Moment for me in this journey was when I saw the Situation of the refugees at the port. Especially the sick children eating only bread at the port.
it was a hard way to Sweden but im happy now and i living a life that i just could dream about when i was in Afghanistan.
please take refugees in your cars to bring them to the registrazion point in the PORT.
It is now by law aloud !
You have to call the number “100” to register with the police that you are about to transport new arrived refugees to the port!!!!
And dont forget to have always small water bottels in your car.
Thank you and have a good day!
