Building Camps in Greece, ADRA Germany Aids Refugees

BY ANNA LEFIK, ADRA Germany/CD-EUDNews.

The humanitarian situation of refugees in Greece is still unsettled, with refugees still dependent on emergency shelters, relief supplies, and medical care. Responding to the human needs, ADRA Germany opened an office in Katerini, Greece, to offer long-term support to those fleeing unstable situations at home.

Last year, ADRA concentrated on two refugee camps, Petra Olympou and Ktima Iraklis, with a total of 1,500 refugees.

Last year, ADRA concentrated on two refugee camps, Petra Olympou and Ktima Iraklis, with a total of 1,500 refugees. The conditions and hygiene in the camps were very poor, which resulted in the spread of contagious skin diseases. A medical team treated the affected people and their tents were disinfected. Hygiene articles were distributed and the camp inhabitants were informed about hygienic practices.

ADRA set up five translators, who helped the medical team and provided psychosocial care in cooperation with the non-governmental organization, or NGO, IsraAID. In addition, ADRA has been providing fresh and healthy food to help prevent malnutrition.

After the onset of winter temperatures, Camp Petra Olympou was cleared out in cooperation with ADRA and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR. Because the tents at Olympou were not winterproof, the refugees were lodged in vacant hotels and apartments in Northern Greece.

In December, Christian Molke, Managing Director of ADRA Germany, signed a contract with the Greek government to build another Camp in Ktima Iraklis. Iraklis is centrally located with easy access to shopping, hospital, and schools. At the camp there will be 85 heated residential containers, the size being approximately 25 square meters (269 square feet), each with its own electricity connection, kitchen, and sanitary facilities. In addition, service containers are set up which, among other things, will be used as social rooms, laundry rooms as well as education and for medical examinations.

This is designed to ensure the people privacy and protection and provide them with facilities to become self-sufficient. This new refugee camp is expected to be ready for occupancy by the end of February 2017 and will accommodate up to 550 people.