Prisoners of War

Women, children and men of all ages,  herded behind fences

They fled from war, persecution, oppression, poverty. 

They risked their lives in flimsy dinghies.

Then Northern Europe closed its borders with Greece.

...and now they are detained in virtual prison camps.

The terrifying sea-crossing was preferable to staying behind

We are facing Europe's biggest humanitarian crisis of our lifetime. Tens of thousands of refugees are now effectively incarcerated in detention centres across the Greek mainland.

Most of them lost everything in their home country, and now they simply want to start a new life.

Respected NGOs like Save the Children, MSF (Doctors without Borders) and UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) are withdrawing from operations in Greece because the deal negotiated between Turkey and the European Union is unworkable and - in the words of MSF: "unfair and inhumane."

Hundreds of families, thousands of children

The island of Samos, where I was headed, is virtually drained of refugees, and Jocasta's Kitchen - the project I expected to work on - is packing up and transferring to the mainland.

The need is huge.

The occupants of the island centres are rounded up and shipped to Piraeus to await bussing to camps all over Northern Greece. 

Arriving at the port of Piraeus

Up to 2,500 passengers arriving on one ferry.

  

So, next week I fly to Athens to help feed the thousands who are stranded with nowhere to go. If you want to be part of the solution, please follow what is actually happening and share the stories with your friends. British media offer very limited coverage, but there are dozens of websites and blogs that will give you the big picture.
I you want to contribute to the expansion and running costs of the catering operations we are working on, you can donate through the site I have set up. And if you do decide to donate, can I thank you in advance, on behalf of all the people whose lives have been ruined, and who just want the opportunity to make a fresh start. Here's the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/Samos-Refugees