Working/ Volunteering with refugees

[Amandistan]

We see the news reports about the flooding of refugees into Europe. We then see news reports of the Syrian people eating salt and leaves and their own pets to survive.  This can not continue. Something must be done. Our leaders are so set on dropping bombs when they can drop food instead.

There are still hundreds arriving each day by boat loads on the Greek Islands.
Don't get me wrong donations and charities help a good deal but so does being out in the field. Since instances in Cologne over the holidays there seems to be anger aimed at them. When in reality a small minority have assaulted anyone. They know have a new route into Europe that passes Bosnia. These Balkan countries don't have the economy to support millions but there is nothing that can be done. They need to survive.

It seems hard to find volunteer opportunities where one can work in the field. However I have on the Greek Island near Turkey. It involves distributing dry cloths and helping them off of the boats. The boats are unfit for sailing and overfilled. It's not safe. 150 came boat today. they expect at lat a hundred a day.  I imagine if in their position, I would be grateful for someone to give me warm cloths, a meal and make me feel welcome after risking my life to come to safety. If I can make them feel better for a moment and be of some help to them, then I have done something to make it better. Even if very small.

They must leave their belongings behind to go to the boat. When I lived in Marmaris we found journals written in Arabic and bags of clothing left on the beach. This belonged to refugees. The massive number I saw in Istanbul was heartbreaking. It made me realize that I must do what i can to help these people. The Balkans also need help and France as well.

Does anyone know of more opportunities to help the refugees?
I am willing to go anywhere really. I am willing to pay for own food and lodging.  Anyone want to join me?       
 

[Rusco]

I don't know but there might be some grassroots level organisations and/or societies that I could imagine they'd like to help at the on going areas of crisis. I'm not anymore in the activist scene that I used to hang with in the 90's,
but I could imagine some things have continued in a way or another.

There are for sure a spontaneous, international grassroot people still around somewhere like the Food Not Bombs.

At least in millenium 2000's there was an leftwing independent media group active called the Indymedia.
Their intention was to give and make news about activist things that are more independent.

I don't have any idea are they working on the topic or even about their present state are they still active.

If you go further and ask the Red Cross about getting to a volunteer and helping somehow, they'll tell the methods for sure. There must be some.


...ok at least they've still their websites. There are wiki articles available of them if you're interested.

[Amandistan]

Thank You.  I found something on one of the Greek Islands. I am trying to work out transport now.  I am going in February.   I will be seeing some very heavy things. I really hope I am of help to them. 

[Rusco]

Ok.

Just saw actually the news page at Food Not Bombs have something concerning the topic, or a way near to that.

Cheers

[Amandistan]

Ok.

Just saw actually the news page at Food Not Bombs have something concerning the topic, or a way near to that.

Cheers

I will look into that too. Thanks very much for the suggestions. 

[Stephanie]

Thank You.  I found something on one of the Greek Islands. I am trying to work out transport now.  I am going in February.   I will be seeing some very heavy things. I really hope I am of help to them.

Like you said earlier: every little helps.

Hats off to you for doing this, it certainly isn't easy. 

[Amandistan]

I imagine it will be hard to take in. Especially when there are large numbers and short of supplies.

[Amandistan]

There seems to be 70,000 more. It's basically an exodus now thanks to Russian Bombs It seems they have bombed mostly civiliians. This got worse and does not seem to be getting any better.

I leave to get to Greece on the 18th of this month. I will be in the field fairly soon. I hoped that the UN peace talks would help but it seems they did not. Turkey and Russia did not get involved.