Turbulent Times

Turbulent times on Lesvos, Greece ~ in the heart of a major humanitarian crisis.

I picked Anais up from Moria a few days ago, and was aghast by the smell of sewage in the air. Refugees walking through sludge and mud, awaiting their deportation.

Each day levels of fear have risen on this island - Ferries have been leaving full of "illegal migrants" (or humans fleeing war) who await a 3 month period in jail before their deportation back to their homeland. Volunteer camps are being shut down, while others are awaiting their doomed fate.

Mo Chara continues to operate - last week we drew the night shift card, working shifts from midnight to 6 am, or 2-8. With radar on, ear open, and eyes peeled we patrol the waters helping refugees safely reach the coast.

Many boats arrive close to land and run out of petrol - resulting in a tow to land. Others are overfull (78 in one dinghy!) with hard steering and full of panic. Three nights ago, we arrived to a boat with 2 people on board suffering from heart attacks - both died on shore after medics did their best under the moonlight to revive them with CPR.

Help Support Refugee Rescue & Mo Chara (http://www.refugeerescue.co.uk/donate-now/) 

We continue to work with Greek Coast Guard, an international SAR Frontex group (German, Swedish, Norweigan), and Rescue boats from Netherlands & Spain.

Where has the humanity gone?