Taking stock

Yesterday we received 4 more UK parcels, making a total so far of 18 parcels...  Shipments funded by our appeal.

We have also bought (from go get funding appeal money) and distributed:

800-1000 bottles  of water

Several crates of apples

Several crates of bananas

150 cereal bars

Hundreds of biscuits

Bought and topped up medical supplies, dustbins, bin bags, brooms, dustpan and brushes, tarps, emergency blankets (500) thermometers

Distributed:

4-5 bin liners of Sun hats

100s of nappies, baby wipes and sanitary towels

Gave approx 200 people lifts in car.

We saw an estimated 400 people in our 10 pop-up first aid clinics.

Julie gave antenatal care to about 12 pregnant women.

In Moria camp we triaged about 45 patients to the doctors' surgery.

Other tasks included meeting and networking with other volunteers and NGO representatives, communicating, problem solving and liaising with other agencies regarding emergency situations, finding and working with refugee translators, clothing wet people and settling them into camp, rubbish clearance, camp tidying, sorting donated clothes and goods and finally doing this blog and updating our donors.

We are coming home with lots of memories of all the faces of the amazing and courageous people we met who are seeking safety and a new life.  We have met some great volunteers and it is incredible what can be achieved through sheer determination.  The crisis has, in our view, reached new emergency levels and we fear terribly what might occur next.

We have just received news that a boat capsized this morning and an 8 yr old girl has drowned...

A search for more bodies is taking place.

We carried all the good wishes of our families, friends, colleagues and also people we don't know who have contributed to our efforts to make a difference.  Thankyou.

In particular we want thank our wonderful families who have been part of this from the outset and the rest of our wonderful back up team, France and London - you know who you are.

Friday18th

Our thoughts this morning were with the 100s of people, adults and children, who we saw at our car boot first aid clinic who, despite injuries, blisters, feeling unwell could not be persuaded to spend another night on the pavement.  They set off in the late afternoon to walk to Kalloni, the first part of the journey is a punishing 4-5km uphill climb.  Even at this time 32 degrees.  So although we had intended to spend our last day restocking and handing over our first aid kit, we decided instead to load up the car with food and water again to distribute to people walking along this route.

We arrived at the transit camp in Kalloni to discover that there had been an incident and a volunteer had got hurt.  So all the volunteers had been told to leave.   This left a bus driver and his empty bus with no instructions and therefore no option but to reluctantly leave.  We liaised with two men who came forward as spokesmen to try to see if a solution could be found.  

Everybody was sitting down calmly and we gathered that many people were hungry.  After carefully considering the situation we decided to go and buy enough fruit to distribute to everyone.  Crucially Ariana was able to contact a local Greek woman who had spontaneously formed a volunteer group to help refugees.  She responded immediately and without hesitation and contacted the bus company.  She met us at the site.  We know food distribution amongst hungry people can be precarious but it was managed well with great teamwork, with the help of the spokespeople.  

We then "opened" our car boot clinic and treated the numerous blisters, bites, headaches and small injuries.

We left feeling that we had managed to help turn a potentially volatile situation around.  

Thurs 17th

We heard that help was urgently needed in Skala Sikaminia as 50 boats arrived yesterday.  We drove there with our kit and arrived to find a steady stream of refugees climbing up the steep 2km mountain road to join the hundreds already gathered and waiting for the elusive bus.

People had spent the night there and the rubbish bin and been emptied where people had searched for cardboard to make fires to keep warm overnight.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfXLL5eOAuM

Ariana drove up and down the steep road giving lifts to vulnerable people - many families - so difficult to decide who to prioritise.  She found a man with a severe cut hand, bleeding, wrapping his hand in a quick bandage and then plastic bag to avoid getting blood on rental car!  Julie then, at the top of the hill, dressed and compressed the hand more thoroughly to stem the bleeding and sent him on his way.   At this point and for the next 24-48 hrs, single men were being asked to walk as the bus queues totally outweighed bus capacity.

In the early afternoon we were called back to Molyvos because there was a need for first aid and there were no medical people around.  We could not believe the huge numbers also waiting for buses here and that no buses had been since the early morning.  We were told that there was a rush for the bus as people in desperation had been waiting for so long and there were not enough hands to manage the situation safely therefore buses were cancelled.  Everyone is frustrated.

Weds 15th

I Day 3 Moria Camp.

We were joined by Sophie, Sofie and Ricky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1EzlqXJdk

Just as we arrived to the camp riot police also turned up and marched through camp in full protective gear.  The tense atmosphere was palpable and we needed to decide what to do for the best.   Whilst unloading our medical kit we spotted two men, limping and blood stained, supported on either side by their friends with an IRC person who was trying to find a doctor.  She explained that they had been stabbed the previous night in the queue for registration.  

This was the only incidence of violence we had come across so far which, given the horrendous conditions people are having to endure, was quite surprising but nevertheless shocking.

We took them past the riot police and through security gates into a different part of the compound where some of the doctors were stationed.  We observed the police taking refugees' whole hand prints for the registration process.

One man told us he had been there 48 hrs already but had no idea where to access information and had lost faith in the numbered queueing system as people were paying to jump the queue.

There was very little visible presence of any NGOs in this camp.

We created some shade for our pop up clinic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff2od7h-Ulk

Tues 14th Sept

Day 2 of our pop up clinic in Moria Camp, triaging for Medicins du Monde.  Seeing pregnant women, children, men and dealing with minor things ourselves and passing on more serious cases to the docs.  So great to see some toddler twins who we sent to the docs yesterday with diarrhoea feeling much better.  Everybody breastfeeding which is fab.  There is more evidence of support from UNHCR and IRC, eg boxes of hygiene kits.  Thanks to everyone who collected sun hats and bags etc.  We were very excited to personally receive 14 of our boxes of donations today. The sun hat pile has trebled in size and we will take a bag full to hand out tomorrow.  The refugees thankyous are sincere and heartfelt and therefore everyone who has sent goods or donated to our appeal has helped to make their journey a little better.  Xxx

Our 13 yr old translator who was absolutely brilliant today.  She got around not knowing words very well e.g. Liquid poo for diarrhoea! 

Unpacking one of our boxes.  Loved the socks inside shoes - thanks JoJo.

A Medicine San Frontiere tent at Kara Tepe

Saturday 1 week in, 1 week to go

Things are very difficult for the refugees today as, unlike yesterday, there has been little or no transport.  Groups have started walking again even though it is very hot and they are already exhausted by their journey so far.  Again, many people sleeping tonight on pavements, on cardboard if they could find any.  There are no toilets laid on, and no running water because the council will not allow it.

We do not feel this is in any way acceptable or adequate.  Pregnant women are worried about their unborn children because of these conditions and no access to proper food.  Biscuits and the odd piece of fruit is not a balanced diet.  There are cafes, but not everybody can access them.

We are dumbfounded to witness how displaced peoples are disempowered in the receiving. (host) country and to see their disbelief at the situation is so distressing  This is trauma in action and so we have begun to build an initiative to join all the stakeholders together.  

At 6.30 we met a family of 14.  The English-speaking man was exhausted and at his wits end, but still decided to continue along the road into the night, instead of resting in the village until the morning.

We have bought brooms and bin bags and try to do some clearing up whenever we can and the refugees willingly help.  These two gorgeous children joined in

Thurs 10th

Today the consequences of yesterday's huge numbers of arriving refugees can be felt in Molyvos.  With insufficient buses there is a growing crowd of hot, tired, hungry and thirsty men, women, children and babies.  Taxi drivers are growing increasingly angry as refugees are constantly asking for transport which is not available to them due to immigration laws.  To add to their frustration, well-meaning volunteers are parking in the taxi rank to off load crates of water, nappies etc.

Many people needed treatment for the most painful-looking blisters which they sustained during the 13km walk from the landing beaches to Molyvos.

This mother couldn't have been more grateful for a clean nappy and new baby grow and a makeshift changing table on the wall.

By 6pm the crowds were huge and people were starting to realise they will have to spend the night on the pavement.  A young man asked for the WC.... At this end of the village there isn't one.  Try a cafe, or go in the bushes is the unsatisfactory answer.

There are moves to set up a bigger, proper camp with toilets etc, to cope with the fluctuating numbers, but this is not yet in place.

Ari explaining situation to new arrivals

weds 9th

A very busy day with about 1500 people arriving from Syria, Iran and Afghanistan.  Again today refugees were able to take free buses to Mytilene.  Women and children and anyone sick had priority, but families are always kept together as we don't want people to be separated from each other.

Our jobs today included sorting clothes into well-labelled suitcases ready to take to beaches where boats land, so that men, women and children can be offered dry change of clothes.  Also checking out and treating sick and injured refugees, helping organise people at the bus stop, driving to the beach area 13km down a dirt road from Molyvos with food, water, dry clothes and emergency blankets and meeting people coming off the boats.

It is heartbreaking to have to tell people that there are no taxis or hotels and maybe they should rest by the side of the road and use life jackets as sleeping mats, and set off walking to village tomorrow.  

people are so grateful for help and they are so relieved to have survived the crossing.  They have been charged extortionate amounts by the traffickers.  Julie chatted to a young man see YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJUjlKMJaBI

who was charged US 1100 dollars for the crossing.  Another man told us they were hit and shouted at by traffickers as they stepped onto the boat, adding to the ordeal.

Tues 8th September

Another extraordinary day in Molyvos.....

There was a young woman with heat stroke this morning who was treated on a public bench near the harbour by an international team of volunteers.  We also heard about others with broken rib and foot injury.  A number of children have diarrhoea and coughs.  It is difficult for the mothers as it is such an unsanitary environment in which to look after sick children.

We suddenly had news of buses arriving paid for by Molyvos volunteers.  So all at once the camp emptied.  I managed to grab rehydration fluids and a banana for a little one year old before she left.

Quick turn around and clear up, throwing away rubbish, recycling discarded shoes, clothes, piling of blankets, straightening up tarpaulins to make it look a bit more civilised - see pic.

As refugees are keen to move onto the next leg of their journey we do not always have time to respond successfully to all their requests, e.g.  It is very difficult for them indeed as many have US dollars and without ID cannot change money.  I was about to go to bureau de change shop for someone when he had to go to catch bus.  The buses today were very welcome, and we have heard also that today there have been big efforts to speed up registration in Mytilene.  8000 were able to leave island today due to better systems and more ferries!!!  Phew.

We were on "clothes" duty this eve, driving along the coast road to where boats come in basically running a free "jumble sale" in the dark out of back of car, wearing head torches.  It must be so disorientating for the children

Debris of boats and life jackets.

Some make it to overflowing dustbins

Next photo shows proximity of encampment to centre of village.

Children arriving in tent

Day 2 setting up camp

Julie set up an impromptu antenatal clinic for 9 month pregnant woman (see below) in an alleyway behind restaurant.  This allowed privacy in order for her to be able to lift clothes to expose tummy.  She lay on concrete covered with a yoga mat. She was reassured to hear baby's heartbeat and find out that it was head down.  

Later  she was taken to Mytilene.  We heard today though that conditions there are terrible with 15,000 people stuck as the registration processing has stalled and many have been there for up to a week with no real facilities.  The frustration has made the situation volatile and there have been things set on fire in protest about the wait. Not enough ferries are coming to take people to Athens.  Meanwhile refugees cannot be persuaded to remain in Molyvos until things settle down. 

We have been able to respond quickly to requests e.g. Buying water, dustbins, thermometers, etc and clearing up the temporary camp for next influx of boat people.  We set up the tarpaulins we brought with us.

We have met many amazing families and when there is someone who speaks English they willingly translate for others.

People setting off to walk 70kms in 30+ degrees wearing donated hats and t shirts and baby sling.

Arrival

  the news 

Within five minutes of arriving at the airport we spotted an inflatable boat in the distance 

.as it came nearer we realised it was packed with people. The conditions were very calm and everybody arrived safely. A young man kissed the ground and we talked with a few people about their journey.  As we drove towards Mytilene increasing numbers of refugees were walking along the road at 8 o'clock on a Sunday morning ... then the beginnings of encampments.  Some tents dangerously near moving traffic.

 Moments after landing

1

There are many women and children amongst the groups of refugees including toddlers and babies .  One teenage boy explained that his family could not find a taxi as drivers are not allowed to accept money plus no accommodation would take them in. They did not want to stay in molyvos as they were anxious to get to Mytilene in order to get to the mainland. It is a three day walk.  Volunteers are driving along the route to handout food and water. It is heartbreaking to see families and people of all ages having to make this journey in the heat not realising that when they reach Mytilene there will be days of queueing and delays.

Late yesterday afternoon we scoured the shops looking for crates of water to buy as supplies were running low. Even at 8 o'clock in the evening,in the dark, boats were arriving and unloading near the harbour with nothing but a few torches to light their way. Some people have one small rucksack and some people only have the clothes they are wearing. 

Packing

Ariana appeared on Radio and BBC Wales yesterday as part of a piece that was looking at the grass roots response to this crisis in Wales - please see youtube link below for the TV clip.
It is quite a logistical feat figuring out and prioritising our packing.  People have been so generous and we are still receiving parcels as we speak.

We have purchased 500 emergency blankets which were requested yesterday because supplies were running out in Lesvos, so feel we can make an immediate contribution when we arrive.  We are also taking tarpaulins, clothes, medical supplies and maternity supplies.  Friends have set up an appeal in Cardiff to collect clothing and we already have so much that we will start shipping goods out on Monday.

We hear that in Molyvos there are 1000-2000 people arriving per day.  Such huge numbers.... and this is just the beginning of a very long journey for them.  We are not quite sure what to expect, we are going with an open mind.  We will be arriving on the island tomorrow at 6am.
 
Please see our new YouTube channel where we will upload our videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-5MqTC7RzOzCCIe2bindw 

Thanks for your continued support and interest and please keep spreading the word, sharing on Facebook etc.  Julie & Ariana

Family in Oxford packing boxes of Emergency Blankets  for refugees

Preparing for Lesvos