It is with immense sadness that the world has been following the suffering of war refugees in their trajectory towards Europe – particularly Germany. Running away from heavy conflicts that are bringing their countries apart, they make a difficult but necessary choice, hoping to find peace somewhere else and restart their lives. This path, taken by thousands of people, is dangerous and mostly hostil. But there is a group of volunteers working to mitigate their pain. One of our receptionists, the Italian Serena Cusi, spent 5 days at a refugee’s camp in Idomeni – Greece and told us a bit about her experience.
According to Serena, more than 15.000 people are living in small tends encamped over mud or rail tracks. There is no access to running water or garbage collection and food is never enough. The next supermarket or gas station is kilometers way, distance that has to be walked since car rides are forbidden. With the constant rain, the lack of impermeable clothes and proper shoes, fire is the only way of heating. Nonetheless the little wood available is wet and old clothes and plastic are starting to be burned. In this state of calamity more and more people are getting sick and the medical help is not sufficient. “The situation is horrible and it’s the first time I saw so much suffering”, reported Serena.
Volunteers from all over come to offer what they can: support, care and help. Divided in shifts they work night and day distributing food and clothing, fixing tends, listening and talking to the people. But no matter how many come everyday, the number is just partly compared to the need.
The situation is precarious and inhuman: there are pregnant women sleeping in the cold, elderly people begging food, kids working heavily. Every person there has their own story to tell: the testimony of bombings, friends and families killed, the scape, the way, the amount of money spent for the journey the bad treatment of the police along the way. “This are traumas they will cary forever” Serena wrote.
Desperately waiting for Europe to take an action and show some humanity, they can still talk about their dreams, fantasize about a better futures and hold on to their hopes. believe. “They smile, they hug and they are incredibly welcoming and thankful” finalizes Serena about her experience.
You can also help.
To donate money for necessary supplies in Idomeni:
IBAN: SE9850000000053740145501
BIC: ESSESESS
Account holder Alkmini Neufeld
Stockholm, Sweden
Paypal [email protected]
For people in Berlin:
On April 8th there will be a concert- fund raising event by Jim Kroft: musician, filmmaker and actual volunteer in Idomeni will be talking part. 100% of tickets profit will be used to save lifes. For more Infos, click here.
