9.03.2020 06:00
(Act. 9.03.2020 11:26)
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“Terrifying” conditions in the Moria refugee camp
© APA (Archive / AFP)
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It is not surprising for the General Secretary of Caritas Vienna, Klaus Schwertner, that the refugee situation on the Greek East Aegean island of Lesbos has come to a head.
In recent years funds have been cut continuously and the willingness to donate has also decreased. The current conditions in the Moria refugee camp are “terrifying,” said Schwertner in an APA interview.
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“Everything is full of garbage”
There is a need for rapid action, and help is urgently needed. “I am a family man myself, and it is really terrifying under what conditions thousands of children and families have to live here. In the dirt, under tarpaulins, everything is full of garbage,” says the Caritas Vienna boss, describing his impressions after visiting the largest refugee camp Europe. An estimated 23,000 refugees and migrants currently live there.
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“It is really ashamed what happens here – on European soil,” said Schwertner. “And what has really left me speechless is the belief that refugees can be prevented from coming to Europe if they are treated as badly as possible here on the Greek islands.” However, this strategy had not been successful; hundreds of new arrivals had been made since the beginning of the month alone.
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Humanitarian Admission Program
Schwertner emphasized that the order of the day and the “urgent request to the Austrian federal government” were now “very clearly” local help and a humanitarian admission program as well as further support for Greece.
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Caritas Hellas, partner organization of Caritas Austria in Greece, is currently represented by a team of six employees at Camp Moria. Schwertner has been on the spot with the long-time Caritas disaster helper Thomas Preindl for a few days to explore where and which additional acute help is needed.
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The Austrian population’s willingness to donate and help is “really enjoyable”. A donation campaign launched on Facebook could have raised over 400,000 euros within a few days. In order to alleviate the “humanitarian crisis” that is taking place in Moria, additional financial means are necessary, said Schwertner. With a donation of 30 euros, for example, Caritas is putting together an aid package for refugees, which includes food and hygiene items, among other things.
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