Resources for Refugees: Moria, Lesvos, Greece

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has come to a standstill and we all faced with difficulties and time to reassess our values. Unfortunately, it is those with the least resources who continue to suffer the most.

“In some parts of Moria camp there is just one water tap for every 1,300 people and no soap available. Families of five or six have to sleep in spaces of no more than 3m2,” stated Dr Hilde Vochten, MSF’s Medical Coordinator in Greece. With limited access to space, food, electricity and washing facilities and now, total restriction of movement from the camp, those who live in Moria can't support themselves with any additional resources.

We are sharing money and resources wherever we can, any additional donation means we can reach further. Here are a few examples:

1. Worksheets, toys and other resources to support the organic educational activities that
2. Soap, food and other basic essentials to improve living conditions
3. Diapers and incontinence pads for the women and children
4. Sim cards for access to the internet (a small escape, a connection to the world outside of Moria, to education and entertainment, to families in their home countries and each other during times of quarantine)
5. Savings for when the Wave of Hope school re-opens, to fund the purchase of books, stationary and other equipment.

About Us:

We arrived on Lesvos January 2020. In just this short period of time we have seen peaceful solidarity marches between refugees and locals against the conditions of Moria, then against the closed detention centres. Increasing violence from the far-right in the forms of protests, physical attacks on people, cars and damage to property. Arson of Stage Two (a transit temporary shelter) and also the burning of the School of Peace. The Turkey-Greece EU deal breakdown and the influx of arrivals and increased violence from the coast guards and far-right in response.

Now COVID-19. Many non-governmental organizations and volunteers who assisted with basic aid, as well as integration, support and developmental skills, have left the island due to the violence. With the outbreak of COVID-19, resources are even more limited.

We've been volunteering teaching in schools, in a permaculture garden offering much needed peace and respite in a place of beauty, in warehouses for distribution, building the school and now with the medical team as general volunteers and pharmacy assistants. We have a network with the remaining coordinators on the island as well as those living in Mytillini and Moria so are able to share the resources to those who are requesting. The community here is generous with many looking out for the needs of their neighbours.

For more information on what life is like at Moria Camp, check out this podcast:
https://www.facebook.com/latitudeadjustmentpodcast..

Links to:

Riots, tear gas, Camp conditions https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7961387/T...

Corona outbreaks in refugee camps on the mainland https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/woman-greec...