Fortress Europe Border Updates
Update 10 from Pazarkule and Istanbul -21.03.2020
We continue helping
While the people at the border crossing of Pazarkule are still waiting for a chance to cross into Europe, the official support which was previously in place seems to be increasingly being removed. Less and less food, water and shelter is provided, and instead there is more and more violence and tear gas. Yesterday an estimated number of around 100 people left the spot with the official buses, so there is still an estimated number of 5000 - 5500 people left on the ground. Our local volunteers supply them with food, milk and baby bottles. The agreement with the Red Crescent is holding up so far. As our fundings runs low they are focusing on crucial cases including children and pregnant women. Please donate so they can keep doing this incredibly important work!
Istanbul is preparing for an escalation of the Coronavirus and both public transport and the streets are empty. Lorenz has been distributing gloves and hand sanitizers. The local volunteers in Istanbul managed to set up amazing temporary structures, organising a room to both store our goods and in which people can get some rest and sleep. People who have recently arrived are brought there first and supplied with food, water, medication, sanitary pads and diapers. Many families and some young men travelling alone have arrived, most of them around 20 years old, or even younger. Some wear just a t-shirt and torn shoes, which is why we always have warm clothes in stock to distribute. The same goes for Vaseline, as many children have suffered a lot after spending the cold nights outside, showing scars and chapped skin. They lotion their little faces with relish, as if it was the best thing in the world. For all the new arrivals, we managed to organize bus tickets, with just one big family staying the night. They did not know where to go and sleeping in this windy room at the bus station might be the best night they have experienced in the last two weeks..
One young man from Syria we bought the bus ticket for called today just to tell us he arrived safely at his destination and wanted to tell us how thankful he was for our support.
Generally, we witness very humble and modest reactions from the people. It’s clear that they are no longer used to people helping them. Just driving by and stopping to talk to them leaves many confused. People who haven’t had any food for days gratefully refused when offered a second sandwich and instead referred us to others who were in more need. A young man in slippers translating for his friend without shoes politely refused our offer to buy him shoes as well. Is it the Arabic politeness that still prevails in these darkest moments, or is it the lack of hope in humanity?
While the people at the border crossing of Pazarkule are still waiting for a chance to cross into Europe, the official support which was previously in place seems to be increasingly being removed. Less and less food, water and shelter is provided, and instead there is more and more violence and tear gas. Yesterday an estimated number of around 100 people left the spot with the official buses, so there is still an estimated number of 5000 - 5500 people left on the ground. Our local volunteers supply them with food, milk and baby bottles. The agreement with the Red Crescent is holding up so far. As our fundings runs low they are focusing on crucial cases including children and pregnant women. Please donate so they can keep doing this incredibly important work!
Istanbul is preparing for an escalation of the Coronavirus and both public transport and the streets are empty. Lorenz has been distributing gloves and hand sanitizers. The local volunteers in Istanbul managed to set up amazing temporary structures, organising a room to both store our goods and in which people can get some rest and sleep. People who have recently arrived are brought there first and supplied with food, water, medication, sanitary pads and diapers. Many families and some young men travelling alone have arrived, most of them around 20 years old, or even younger. Some wear just a t-shirt and torn shoes, which is why we always have warm clothes in stock to distribute. The same goes for Vaseline, as many children have suffered a lot after spending the cold nights outside, showing scars and chapped skin. They lotion their little faces with relish, as if it was the best thing in the world. For all the new arrivals, we managed to organize bus tickets, with just one big family staying the night. They did not know where to go and sleeping in this windy room at the bus station might be the best night they have experienced in the last two weeks..
One young man from Syria we bought the bus ticket for called today just to tell us he arrived safely at his destination and wanted to tell us how thankful he was for our support.
Generally, we witness very humble and modest reactions from the people. It’s clear that they are no longer used to people helping them. Just driving by and stopping to talk to them leaves many confused. People who haven’t had any food for days gratefully refused when offered a second sandwich and instead referred us to others who were in more need. A young man in slippers translating for his friend without shoes politely refused our offer to buy him shoes as well. Is it the Arabic politeness that still prevails in these darkest moments, or is it the lack of hope in humanity?
