Migrants arriving every hour at Greece camp: Durban relief worker
As European Union nations have announced a deal with Turkey to stem the flow of migrants into the continent, a Durban relief worker currently based
at Greece’s border with Macedonia says more and more refugees are arriving every hour at the
camp there.
Ockie Van Heerden and fellow aid worker at City Hope Disaster Relief in Hillcrest, Graham arrived in the border town on Idomeni a few days ago.
Van Heerden says about 2 500 migrants are seeking refuge at the camp set up by humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières.
He says there is a constant stream of people at the camp seeking a better life than the one they left behind in their conflict-ridden home countries.
Today, the City Hope team distributed some of the much-needed items that they purchased in Thessaloniki earlier in the week.
They stock was collected and yesterday it had been packed and ready to take to the camp.
The raincoats came in particularly handy as the skies in Idomeni had opened up.
It was a sea of blue at the camp and refugees were able to keep dry for a change.
Van Heerden says people back home have been generous and have given hope to the refugees.
"We want to thank each and every person that has contributed to this cause and with us, we carry the voice of the people of South Africa," he said.
Van Heerden says it has been emotional interacting with the refugees in Greece over the last few days.
"Afghans, Iranians, Iraqis and Syrians - all leaving their homes with their children with nothing more than a backpack carrying only essentials. These people are not what the world would deem outcasts of society. Most are well-educated individuals who, like you and I, have a family, hopes and dreams for the future," he said.
Despite their difficult circumstances, some of the migrants remain hopeful and seem to be making the most of the situation.
Van Heerden has managed to capture some of the special moments in the photographs below:
If you would like to get involved, visit City Hope's website: www.cityhope.co.za.
(Photos: Ockie van Heerden/City Hope)