This week, Team 60 is providing aid for refugees in Greece. Much-needed strollers were distributed to refugees along their journey to the Vial Camp. However, Team 60 also received a stark reminder of why aid and hope are so vital to refugees. Read on for an update from Team 60.
Team 60 worked with the Iris Center to provide strollers to refugees in Vial Camp: “Through the Iris Center, Team 60 gave out 80 strollers to new (just arrived) families in Vial Camp, on Chios. Even though distribution started at 10:00, it was already hot and sunny, so many families were lining up early. Babies, moms, and families stood in line for about 2.5 hours to receive the strollers. There was no water for drinking or cooling off, babies were exhausted from the heat and sick from the travel and living conditions.
Your donations made this aid possible. Refugee families used the strollers for transportation and protection: “The strollers were amazing and doubled as a sleeping area, shade cover, and extra carrying basket for families. We were under the impression that moms wanted strollers for making the two hour round trip journey to the town center in Chios to shop for groceries and supplies. This was a very real need, but not the primary need—the families also wanted protection from the snakes and rats that infested the camp. New families were sleeping in tents or just on bare ground with little protection from the elements. Later in the day, Team 60 ventured into Chios to purchase more aid. We saw several strollers already being used to carry little ones and supplies. The next day at the children’s clothing distribution there was even stroller parking for moms and many of the same families loaded their new buggies with much needed winter clothing.”
Your monthly donations are vital in allowing Carry the Future to help refugees. The need is still growing: “110 people landed on Chios overnight. 42 of them are children. Our children. The numbers of arrivals continue to increase on the Greek islands that are nearest Turkey. The journey is always treacherous—across the sea in rafts, in the darkness, wearing life jackets that aren’t likely to be real.
Team 60 noted the need for aid: “When they do arrive in Greece, refugees face the intense reality of life in an overcrowded refugee camp. Vial camp on Chios is designed for 1500 people, but, currently, an estimated 4,000+ people live there. Most new arrivals live in tents and battle infestations of rats and snakes, all while coping with the change of seasons that will bring cold weather, rain, and mud.
“Help us bring some dignity to our brothers and sisters who seek a safe place for their children, their families and themselves. Diapers are critical to the health of babies. Strollers are crucial to the safety of small children who typically sleep on the ground.”
With the help of your monthly donations, Carry the Future will be able to provide hope through aid to refugees in Greece! Click here to set up a monthly donation.