Support Syrian refugees in Alexandreia, Greece

Since 2 April, we have been working with Greek authorities, UNHCR, IRC, donors and the local community to improve the livelihoods of about 800 refugees in an official camp. The camp provided tents, portaloos, showers, some basic medical care and a daily ration of cold food but much more was needed.

Conditions are harsh. Not only have these people fled war, lost everything, made hazardous journeys and facing uncertain futures but temperatures are climbing to over 40 degrees, conditions are cramped, the food is poor and mosquitos are rife.

We buy, collect and distribute:

• baby products (milk, nappies, wipes)
• dry food (biscuits, tea, sugar, cereal)
• dairy (milk, yoghurt)
• fresh fruit and vegetables
• toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, washing powder, suncream)
• treatment for mosquito bites and scabies
• underwear, and toys

We also have a 'choose-your-own' free clothes shop with T-shirts, shirts, dresses, skirts, trousers, shorts, baby clothes and shoes.

We have a clear system for distribution so that everyone on the camp is treated equally, that refugees are treated with the utmost dignity and our resources are managed efficiently. We co-operate closely with agencies such as the UNHCR and IRC and they fully support how we are operating.

Most importantly, what we are doing is clearly helping to improve nutrition and wellbeing on the camp.

To date we have spent over £17.000 on shop stock from generous cash donations and distributed many more items and much more food received from other donors. We have also spent over £5,000 on renovations to buildings there.

All of the funds raised on this site will be spent on items that we need to buy locally: fruit, vegetables, dairy, tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits, nappies, clothing, medicines and some toiletries. We estimate that we will need about £1,600 a week to offer the minimum needed to supplement diets and provide the most basic of comforts.

For just £2 per person per week we can make a huge difference.

This is one of the refugee camps managed by the Greek military to accommodate a fraction of the 50,000 refugees stranded here now that the borders to the rest of Europe are closed. While many basic needs are being provided by the state, managed by the friendly and supportive members of the Greek helicopter battalion and with compassionate help of the local Greek community, they are struggling to provide fully for them given the burdens currently faced across the whole country.

All the residents have come from the trauma of war, loss and a dangerous journey. Most have exhausted all their resources and are struggling even to feed themselves adequately. Some are still carrying injuries from the conflict. The camp is for Syrian family units so over half are children and some are elderly. They need to be supported now and we can do that.

Please help! With your money we can improve the livelihoods for these people and help Greece to give them the welcome and support they deserve.

Refugee Support Europe is managed by unpaid volunteers John Sloan and Paul Hutchings who have run businesses and each spent about 6 months providing humanitarian relief in Calais.

All our volunteers are unpaid.