Category: Refugee Blog

https://thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/the-climate-crisis-and-the-post-covid-world-decarbonization-rare-earths-and-tech

https://videopress.com/v/syr1Fv7F?preloadContent=metadata On the day of the Biden-Harris inauguration a discussion of America's return and what that means for climate change and geopolitics.

I just got back from watching a Greek production of West Side Story. Though I am familiar with the movie, the songs and of course the music and the plot, attending this performance in the middle of the wave of mass population movement  made me give the performance my undivided attention. Racism, violence, belonging and… Continue reading West Side Story, Migration, and the Crisis →

It is no secret that the media has been one of the most powerful means of communication. The interpretation that each media outlet gives to crucial issues affects the way people understand the news and help shape their opinions. The refugee crisis in Greece has been widely covered during the past months due to the… Continue reading A Humanitarian Crisis In The News →

I have been attending the 17th annual Symi symposium on Kos Island entitled Exodus: Population movements in a changing world. Naturally, it’s the refugee crisis that’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind. But is it only the refugee crisis seen from the perspective of European member states? In a session about the Brexit and its… Continue reading Migration, Refugees and Free movement of People →

We arrived in Athens during a unique moment in the crisis. As we began our research, the holy month of Ramadan was just beginning; the fasting and the heat of the summer seemed to increase impatience in the camps. Most of the refugees here have been in limbo for a few months since the borders… Continue reading Snapshot of the current moment in Greece →

The past two evenings, I have visited my friends in the Hotel City Plaza to celebrate Eid, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. After a month of fasting, people are dancing, eating sweets, and sending happy selfies to loved ones around the world. Last night, my friend’s two children (who are already speaking… Continue reading Celebrating Eid in Athens →

A recurring theme in our conversations with refugees is how their living conditions in Greece are tied in to their feelings of dignity and self-reliance. Some camps, like the camp at the abandoned Elliniko airport, are mostly sustained by humanitarian organizations that provide daily meals, portable toilets, and medical care. People who spend time in… Continue reading Dignified Housing →

This morning Annalisa was recounting stories of her encounters with refugees and volunteers from the day before. She joined a group of volunteers in Pireas helping to prepare sweets for Eid which was celebrated with gusto by refugees commemorating this happy holiday. She also had the opportunity to catch up with friends who were updating… Continue reading Food for thought: Law and Order a la carte? →

According to a newly released EURO-Pol / Interpol report, more than 90% of migrants coming to the EU are facilitated by smugglers. Many of the refugees we have spoken with describe their experiences dealing with smugglers, who charge hundreds of euros a head to get people from Turkey to Greece. They describe their experiences as… Continue reading Smuggling: a multibillion-dollar driver of the refugee crisis →