The Greek police started this morning to get the remaining refugees from the burned down refugee camp Moria. They are supposed to move to a new, makeshift tent camp that the authorities have set up. According to estimates, there are still several thousand people in and around the destroyed camp.
“We have to get the people into the new camp; if they stay on the street, it is a bomb in terms of hygiene, „said the head of the Greek health authority (EODY), Panagiotis Arkoumaneas, the Greek radio station Skai. Around 170 police officers are in action.
On Saturday, four young men from Afghanistan are to face a first hearing on Lesbos about the major fire in the refugee camp. The prosecutor of the island accuses them of forming a criminal organization and arson, reported the Greek daily Kathimerini
Aid delivery from Austria
So far, around 2,000 people have moved into the new Kara Tepe tent camp after the fire in Moria last week left 12,000 homeless. Many are afraid to move into the new camp; they fear being imprisoned there and instead demand to be taken from the island to the mainland.
Yesterday Austria brought a large aid delivery for the people who had become homeless. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) flew to Athens with a transport plane. On board were 55 tons of relief supplies, which Nehammer personally handed over to the Deputy Minister of the Interior Theodoros Livanios at Athens Airport.
Tents and hygiene kits
“We have always said that local help is important to us and that we won’t let Greece down,” said Nehammer. „I am proud that we were the first country in Europe, together with Slovenia, to provide a large aid delivery for Greece.“
Livanios thanked Austria for the support. The aid delivery comprised 400 family tents with winter kits for 2,000 people. In addition, 2,000 hygiene packages, 200 tent heaters, 400 tent lights, 7,400 blankets and 2,700 inflatable mattresses, upholstery and bed linen are provided.
