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.