Dear all sorry to put here a fb text but i find it important for all to
now what is going on in / outside MORIA detention
in Lesvos. specially pls read the anouncement of the UNHCR.
sad greetins from lesvos
marily
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1534194316882585&id=1510517015916982
Life on the ground in Lesvos
7 Std. ·
What a day for us all. Everything is changing.
Today around 3,000 refugees left Lesvos for the mainland. The island is
being evacuated but they still all have to pay for their own ferry tickets.
In Moria all registered refugees were taken on buses to the ferry or
Kara Tepe. The army and police have now moved in and taken control. The
atmosphere is heavy, eerie and very sad inside the camp.
The NGOs have been asked to leave as the Moria registration hotspot
becomes a closed detention facility. Today we watched the NGOs packing
up their offices and heading out. Everyone was evacuated out of the
family compound by police, including vulnerable cases which led to great
confusion.There were also 350 – 400 unregistered new arrivals. A couple
of lone volunteers stayed on to try and help but as no one really seems
to know what is going on it is very difficult for anyone trying to help.
I spoke to 2 frontex guys and they had no idea what was happening so for
now they've closed registration.
There were 3 buses of riot police stationed out on the road most of the
day. By the evening it was just one. Luckily there was no violence.
UNHCR issued a statement saying: “as of the 20 March, UNHCR has
discontinued its transport of refugees and migrants from shores and
ports to the Moria detention facility. The government’s decision to
transform Moria hotspot that allowed for freedom of movement into a
closed facility has led UNHCR to take this principled decision….We will
continue to work alongside NGOs and volunteers on providing life-saving
assistance on the shores and in the ports.”
On the Olive Grove a sense of calm has spread across camp as our
Pakistani guests resigned themselves to the fact that they will also
have to leave tomorrow and made the most of their last day on camp.
Distribution is handing out anything we still have that could be useful
for the journey, games are being played and the tea is flowing. After 24
hours of unease and tension, the atmosphere is now very relaxed. I have
so much respect for these amazing young men.
Earlier today we said goodbye to our long-term refugee volunteers from
Iran. Many of them have been working with us now for months so it was a
very emotional and tearful good bye. It really does feel like the end of
an era.
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» What a day for us all. Everything is changing., Today around 3, 000 refugees left Lesvos for the mainland.