Help for Refugees In Europe
Fundraising campaign by
Sam Mitchell
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£4,016.00Donated So Far
I am a 25 year old carpenter from London who over the last year or so has been volunteering in some of the refugee camps that have sprung up across Europe, following the exodus of people fleeing areas of war and conflict in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
Towards the end of 2015 I was on the Greek island of Lesvos - a key crossing point into Europe for many refugees. Working mainly in the north of the Island on the beaches and in transit camps, I distributed food and clothing, loaded buses, allocated accommodation and used my construction experience to improve shelters and storage space. Over the winter of the same year I made two trips to 'The Jungle' camp in Calais, northern France, again to distribute aid and help with shelter construction. From February until Christmas last year I was back in Greece volunteering on various project in Lesvos, Thessaloniki and Athens. I am currently in London working to earn enough money so I can return to Greece in the Spring.
Over a million people entered Europe in 2015, mainly on unseaworthy vessels arriving in Italy and Greece, many of them are families, (unaccompanied) children, pregnant women, disabled or elderly. Now, with northern borders closed, over 50,000 refugees are stranded in Greece living in a mixture of official government camps, unofficial settlements, squatted buildings, private rented accommodation and rough on the streets. These are vulnerable and often desperate people who need and often lack basic provisions such as food and water, shelter, sanitation and emergency medical care. But now as it looks as though most will be staying in Greece for months and years to come, longer term issues of education, long term health and cultural, social and economic integration with the Greek nation as well as ensuring a minimum level of autonomy and self determination for a stranded and isolated people are becoming the key challenges.
The
response of individual governments and large aid agencies has
often been found wanting which is why donated aid volunteered labour is
vital in preventing the situation from turning into a full blown
humanitarian catastrophe. Through this work, along with thousands of
other volunteers, I hope to make the journey of desperate and
vulnerable people as safe, comfortable and dignified as possible.
I have made this page to collect funds for:
- Vehicle rental and petrol costs
- Plane tickets and accommodation costs
- General food and living expenses
- Provisions and equipment for the refugees
- Any remaining funds will be donated to reputable NGOs
Please give what you can, however small.
Many Thanks
PLEASE SEE MY CAMPAIGN UPDATES FOR NEWS OF WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO>>>>>
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USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON THE REFUGEE CRISIS
UNHCR collects thorough data on the demographics of arrivals to Europe. Their results are displayed in this website and updated weekly.
http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php
Are You Syrious? is an NGO that posts regular updates on the situation on the ground along the main migration routes from Syria to western Europe.
https://www.facebook.com/areyousyrious/?fref=ts
UnofficialCamp Reports Blog written by fellow volunteer Peggy Whitfield with the help of yours truly.
Organizer
- Sam Mitchell
- Campaign Owner
Donors
- Daniel Cochran
- Donated on Sep 21, 2016
- Recurring Donation!
The work that Sam & others are doing to help people who are trying to find a safe & secure future for themselves & their families in utterly essential. I am proud to know that Sam is so involved.
- Calum Johnstone
- Donated on Sep 09, 2016
Skaramangas Community Centre
Update posted by Sam Mitchell at 08:33 pmDear Backers, So it’s been six months since my last update, for which I apologise. At which time we had just started work on the foundations for a timber framed building to be used as a community centre at Skaramanagas refugee camp on the edge of Athens. Since then I. . . . .
Athens
Update posted by Sam Mitchell at 02:51 pmDear backers, Long time no speak!Me re-painting one of the classrooms at The Orange House.Inside Malakasa warehouse. Having rearranged the items in the red cages to the left, here we are preparing to sort the mountain of loose clothes to the right!Skaramangas Community CentreOver the past month or so now. . . . .
Greek Mainland Info Gathering
Update posted by Sam Mitchell at 06:44 amDiavata camp, northern GreeceDear backers, When we last spoke the impact of the EU - Turkey agreement was swiftly being felt on the Greek islands. Overnight all those making irregular crossings were arrested and held in detention centres with very limited access to volunteers or aid workers, unofficial camps were. . . . .
EU - Turkey Deal and Lesvos Evacuation
Update posted by Sam Mitchell at 12:34 pmIt has been a hectic week on Lesvos. Following the agreement of the EU-Turkey deal and resulting EU statement all refugees that had arrived on the island before 20 March have been evacuated and dispersed across new camps all over mainland Greece. According to the authorities these people will be. . . . .
Wooden Pallet Flooring
Update posted by Sam Mitchell at 05:50 pmAn ever present problem in European refugee camps is water and cold. Keeping warm and dry is essential to preventing disease and exposure and providing a minimum level of comfort and dignity. Of course having a roof over your head is the primary concern when designing a shelter. But once. . . . .
Return to Lesvos
Update posted by Sam Mitchell at 12:46 pmDear backer, I am volunteering on Lesvos again. It feels great to be back! The situation is much changed since I was here last. Numbers of arrivals are currently lower than the huge flows of people we saw back in October/November, although they are still six to seven times higher. . . . .
Donors & Comments
- Nick, Meg & Jacob Malleson
- Donated on Oct 07, 2016
Hope you're well Sam.
- Daniel Cochran
- Donated on Sep 21, 2016
- Recurring Donation!
The work that Sam & others are doing to help people who are trying to find a safe & secure future for themselves & their families in utterly essential. I am proud to know that Sam is so involved.
- Calum Johnstone
- Donated on Sep 09, 2016
- Daniel Cochran
- Donated on Aug 21, 2016
- Recurring Donation!
The work that Sam & others are doing to help people who are trying to find a safe & secure future for themselves & their families in utterly essential. I am proud to know that Sam is so involved.
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 31, 2016
Here you go! Great to see you.
- Diamond Ashiagbor
- Donated on Jul 25, 2016
Thanks for all the updates, Sam - and many thanks for all the work you have been doing in Athens and the region. Dx
- Lizzie Barmes
- Donated on Jul 25, 2016
Thank you for the up-dates Sam, and for all you are doing. Lizzie xx
- Daniel Cochran
- Donated on Jul 21, 2016
- Recurring Donation!
The work that Sam & others are doing to help people who are trying to find a safe & secure future for themselves & their families in utterly essential. I am proud to know that Sam is so involved.
- Tim Trout
- Donated on Jul 19, 2016
Good luck Sam. We look forward to catching up with you.
- Nick, Meg & Jacob Malleson
- Donated on May 22, 2016
Hope you're well Sam.