Interview: Civil society in Greece fills gaps left by state and EU in refugee crisis: activist

Civil society has stepped in to fill the gaps left by the Greek state and EU partners in dealing with waves of refugees arriving at Greek shores, Ahmed Moavia, President of the Greek Forum of Migrants, told Xinhua.

As Europe witnesses on its doorstep this year the biggest refugee crisis since WWII, Greece, one of the main entry points for the thousands of people fleeing war zones, has creaked under the burden to offer adequate assistance to the waves of people in need.

Moavia, a white-haired, soft spoken journalist and activist, has become a familiar face to Greeks in recent years through his work.

He can been seen everywhere: out in the streets in front of the parliament in rallies to denounce racism, to welcome the refugees in a symbolic silent walk, scheduled for Sunday evening, or in television programs to communicate in fluent Greek the problems of the migrants and refugees living in Greece.

Moavia arrived in Greece in the early 1980s from Sudan to study Philosophy. He never obtained his degree, but became a father of three children, a good friend and neighbor and over the past three decades a well known representative of the migrants and refugees arriving in Greece dreaming of a better life in Europe.

He has a deep knowledge of the migrant and refugee issue in Greece, therefore he was not shocked when media started reporting images of thousands of refugees sleeping on the streets of the Aegean Sea islands this summer, queuing under the hot sun for food, water and the necessary documents to continue their trip.

"The Greek state and the EU could have handled the situation much better, but they were unprepared despite our warnings about the waves of refugees who were waiting in Turkey to cross over from the early spring," he told Xinhua.

Moavia attributes the chaotic images to lack of a national migration policy and coordination between authorities rather than lack of funds for infrastructure at reception facilities.

Due to a fault in the arrival system migrants and refugees are left empty handed for years. In the past the numbers were smaller and the problem was hidden under the carpet.

This year according to the International Organization for Migration approximately 300,000 refugees and migrants have landed on Greece's shores. More than 2,700 people have died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

Despite the decongestion of the islands in September with the acceleration of the registration process, Moavia warns that "temporary measures will not resolve the problems."

"What is needed is a comprehensive plan and stronger cooperation with the EU. It is a one way road. The solution to the current crisis which will last for long will come via a European plan rather than a Greek or Italian plan," he stressed.

As a transit country nowadays and not a final destination as in the pre-crisis era Greece's role is to offer basic aid to incoming refugees and migrants in welcome centers and facilitate their journey, he explains.

"This is the era of the refugees for Greece. As economic migrants are leaving, refugees are coming and where the state is absent civil society and humanitarian organizations are stepping in to fill the gaps," he said.

Is Greek society open to refugees? For Moavia the picture is never black or white. He does not like stereotypes. He has witnessed hospitality, solidarity and cases of xenophobia and exploitation as well.

"But overall the Greek society has assumed a huge burden to fill in gaps these months and did an excellent job," he said.

Moavia referred to a 76-year old baker in Kos island who was feeding refugees with 100 kilos of bread every day this summer, because he could not bear seeing people starving as he was suffering before migrating to Australia decades ago.

He points to the volunteers who offer medical assistance and psychological support, along with food, water, blankets, clothing and toys in the islands and central squares of Athens.

He hopes that things will change for the better with no more delays and governments across Europe will soon start providing an adequate social safety net to refugees and migrants. Endit