PHOTOJOURNALIST

Greece: Migrant's purgatory

The refugee camp at the Greek village of Idomeni near the Greek border with Macedonia is slowly turning into a humanitarian catastrophe as more than 12,000 people have been stranded here by border closures. The Untied Nations high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, has accused the European authorities of violating basic principles such as solidarity, dignity and human rights while applying restrictive measures by erecting fencing along their borders and refusing entry on the basis of nationality. A situation he classifies of "dramatic" and the solution presented by European leaders won't do anything other than put further pressure on Greece, a country already in urgent need of assistance. With overloaded boats daily crossing the Aegean Sea towards the shores of the Greek islands of Lesbos and Kos, the number of people venturing in the direction of Idomeni keeps growing. Idomeni was originally established as a transit camp designed to hold no more than a few thousand people. The refugees and the aid organisations working at the camp report a shortage of blankets and tents which leaves people exposed to the elements, as well as sub-standard sanitary conditions with only cold water available for washing. There are no warm meals and refugees must wait for hours to receive food. The camp is also lacking in availability of medical equipment and assistance. The tent set up by Doctors Without Borders is packed with young children receiving treatment for fever and infections caused by exposure to the cold weather and an environment lacking hygiene. The staff at the clinic say they feel overwhelmed. While European politicians debate over how to deal with the situation, thousands of vulnerable people are in peril and far from their dream to reach a better and safer future in Germany and other northern european nations.

A faint light can be seen from aboard a dinghy carrying migrants across the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Lesbos island in Greece.
A faint light can be seen from aboard a dinghy carrying migrants across the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Lesbos island in Greece.
A spanish volunteer lights an emergency flare to call the attention of Syrian and Afghan migrants approaching the coast of the greek island of Lesbos on a precarious dinghy.
A spanish volunteer lights an emergency flare to call the attention of Syrian and Afghan migrants approaching the coast of the greek island of Lesbos on a precarious dinghy.
Volunteers help a group of about 60 migrants land at a beach outside Mytilene in Lesbos island, Greece.
Volunteers help a group of about 60 migrants land at a beach outside Mytilene in Lesbos island, Greece.
A migrant woman react as she arrives on the shores of a beach in the outskirts of Mytilene in Lesbos island, Greece.
A migrant woman react as she arrives on the shores of a beach in the outskirts of Mytilene in Lesbos island, Greece.
Migrants are seen been escorted out of a rescue boat arriving at Mytilene port in Lesbos island, Greece.
Migrants are seen been escorted out of a rescue boat arriving at Mytilene port in Lesbos island, Greece.
Omar Sidou and his mother Deniz, celebrate the arrival of his siblings at Mytilene port in Lesbos. Omar and his mother got separated from the rest of their family during a rescue operation in Turkish water two weeks before.
Omar Sidou and his mother Deniz, celebrate the arrival of his siblings at Mytilene port in Lesbos. Omar and his mother got separated from the rest of their family during a rescue operation in Turkish water two weeks before.
Thousands of life-vests are seen dumped in a a hilltop near Molyvos in Lesbos.
Thousands of life-vests are seen dumped in a a hilltop near Molyvos in Lesbos.
A group of migrants walk through fields towards the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece.
A group of migrants walk through fields towards the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece.
Syrian refugees are seen standing outside their tents, after a night of heavy rain fall, at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian refugees are seen standing outside their tents, after a night of heavy rain fall, at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants and refugees queue for registration on arrival at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants and refugees queue for registration on arrival at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrant children play in the train tracks at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrant children play in the train tracks at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A migrant child plays in dirty water surrounding tents at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A migrant child plays in dirty water surrounding tents at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A graffiti stating "Fuck Racist Borders" is seen on a wall of a container among thousands of tents set up by migrants at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A graffiti stating "Fuck Racist Borders" is seen on a wall of a container among thousands of tents set up by migrants at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian refugees sit outside their tents at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian refugees sit outside their tents at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian children play outside a tent at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian children play outside a tent at the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants pass by tents set up near the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants pass by tents set up near the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Syrian-kurdish man walks through a field on his way towards the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece.
A Syrian-kurdish man walks through a field on his way towards the Greek-Macedonian border station of Idomeni, Greece.
Syrian refugees await the re-opening of the border post between Greece and Macedonian near the small village of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian refugees await the re-opening of the border post between Greece and Macedonian near the small village of Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian refugees sit around a fire pit used to keep tents warm during the cold nights at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Syrian refugees sit around a fire pit used to keep tents warm during the cold nights at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants walk by the border post between Greece and Macedonia during a foggy morning in Idomeni, Greece.
Migrants walk by the border post between Greece and Macedonia during a foggy morning in Idomeni, Greece.
Refugee children assist to an open air cinema session set up by volunteers at the Greek-Macedonian border in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Refugee children assist to an open air cinema session set up by volunteers at the Greek-Macedonian border in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Syrian child sleeps on the floor of a emergency hospital tent run by volunteer organisations at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Syrian child sleeps on the floor of a emergency hospital tent run by volunteer organisations at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Syrian refugee is seen smoking a cigaret beside his tent set up on the train tracks at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Syrian refugee is seen smoking a cigaret beside his tent set up on the train tracks at the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A refugee is seen waiving a German flag during a demonstration at the Greek-Macedonian border near the Greek village of Idomeni. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A refugee is seen waiving a German flag during a demonstration at the Greek-Macedonian border near the Greek village of Idomeni. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants and refugees unload firewood donated by locals at the Greek-Macedonian border in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants and refugees unload firewood donated by locals at the Greek-Macedonian border in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Kurdish-Syrian man gathers wood for fire near the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
A Kurdish-Syrian man gathers wood for fire near the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants pass by tents set up near the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
Migrants pass by tents set up near the border between Greece and Macedonia in Idomeni, Greece. Around 13,000 migrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and African nations, are believe to be stranded here awaiting a chance to proceed their journey towards Germany and other northern European countries.
↑Back to Top

This website uses cookies. Accept Decline