Chasing the rainbow
Refugees and migrants approached Greek islands using overcrowded dinghy boats. Sometimes the sea was calm, sometimes it wasn’t. Sometimes there were laughters and relief, sometime there were just silence… and death was all around.
With over 3.770 estimated deaths, 2015 has been the deadliest year so far on record for migrants and refugees crossing the Mediterranean, trying to reach Europe.
Voluntary doctors tried to revive a man that has been brought in from the open sea earlier, by a volunteer life guard. The measures could not save him, he died on a beach on the north part of Lesvos island, Greece on the 30th of October 2015.
Early in the Summer of 2015 and with the big outbreak of the influx of refugees and migrants through Turkey on the Greek islands, local population wasn’t allowed to help by providing them with transportation, since it was considered to be illegal by the Greek government. As a result, people - including children and the elderly - have been forced to walk up to 70 kilometers in mid-summer to reach the city.
Later in the year, this practice ceased to exist after being characterized as inhumane. Volunteers as well as NGOs came to help and resolve this issue, even though other problems arose. Those of living inside a refugee camp.
Life in the camps on the Greek islands is unbearable. On one hand due to overcrowding and on the other hand due to the unwillingness or incompetence of the authorities to manage the situation.The number of refugees and migrants arriving on the Greek islands every day, far exceeds the maximum capacity of the camps, resulting in the creation of an informal "village" built by tents and makeshift shelters outside of it. Difficulties in food distribution, failure to meet basic needs such as running water and toilets are some of the daily problems refugees face.
On the island of Kos, things were a bit different. There was no official camp and refugees and migrants were forced to set up tents in the city center and around the Police station or found shelter in an old abandoned hotel on the outskirts of the city.
At the hotel, food distribution and any assistance necessary, was provided entirely by volunteers and NGOs.
Waiting for a place on the ship to Athens was a long and arduous process and could take days to weeks to accomplish this goal.
Those who left the islands behind, have now begun to see Athens slowly emerge on the horizon, as the ship prepares to reach port. They are now equipped with supplies of joy and hope. Supplies necessary for the long and difficult journey ahead.