Refugees

Idomeni and the Domino effect

At the Greek-Macedonian border, waiting for thousands of refugees in the icy temperatures on their journey to Central Europe – so far in vain. From Idomeni reported Jannis Papadimitriou.

Javad is upset and exhausted. But he wants his strength and continue to fight for his great dream: A decent life in Germany. 4.000 US-Dollar the young man has already for the Schleuserfahrt from Afghanistan have to pay. Alone for the nearly 100-kilometre long stretch of the second largest Greek city of Thessaloniki to the Northern border town of Idomeni were him incredible $ 500 is required of complains Javad. And now stuck it in the mud or in crowded tents at the border crossing to Macedonia.

Javad (on the left in the picture) from Afghanistan with friends in the refugee camp

In the past few days there have been hundreds of his countrymen in coaches to Athens brought back, and presumably it is only a matter of time until Javad requested also, to get back. The reason: After Serbia its borders to refugees from Afghanistan has closed, also the neighboring country of Macedonia no Afghan citizen more travel.

4000 dollars for a new life

“At once, no one is interested anymore for us Afghans” complained Javad, in an interview with DW. “No one will take care of our children when they get sick. To get that attention, especially the refugees from Syria. That’s not fair, we are human, too, in our homeland there is war. Do you think that I would have $ 4,000 just so spent, if my life would be in danger?” disgusted, the young Afghan.

Many of the refugees have their own tents pitched

Also Stella Nanou, spokeswoman for the UN Flüchtlingswerks in Greece, can not understand that refugees from Afghanistan solely because of their nationality prevented the passage. “Seems to want the EU member States, only asylum seekers from countries with an average recognition rate of over 75 percent travel, which is the case for people from Syria, Eritrea and Iraq. But the Afghans have at least a ratio of 70%, which is very much” Nanou to keep in mind.

During the interview in the UN containers in Idomeni will Nanou often advice people. A Palestinian from Syria asks, whether it be the country of destination to choose should be. Politely replied Nanou, this is not possible, but there would be certain criteria, the case of a possibly positive decision would be taken into account – such as whether the asylum seekers, the language of a EU country already mastered or relatives there. “We are trying to people about your opportunity to educate, because many have no concrete idea. You just know that you are going to Europe want,” said the UN staffer.

From the North is blowing icy Wind

It is drizzling in Idomeni. in the refugee camp spreads a strange smell, the rain, burnt wood, and urine reminds. Staff of Refugee organisations are constantly in use. They distribute tents and food, clean the toilets, bring newcomers to the consultation.

No Progress: the border of Macedonia, is here with a fence backed up

Actually, that was the Camp as a temporary shelter intended, but the Need is getting bigger and bigger: To the with Plan-covered UN-big tents, which up to 2,000 people, come more and more Kleinzelte to do this, set up on the open Meadow. After the sun drops the temperature below zero degrees, cold North wind blows sharp in the face. The refugees in Idomeni have to make it through the night fight.

Wait of group number 88

Safwat Estif from Aleppo, makes still courage. “I’m here at last in safety, security, the war in Syria to escape, and will therefore, at against all odds, don’t complain,” he says in an interview with DW. Still feels the 26-year-old confused and sometimes even upset. 700 US Dollar have Safwat for the Crossing from Turkey to Greece paid for, the last 25 kilometers to Idomeni, he was Jogging. That he of all people in this Village are now trapped, he could not understand. “We have Wartenummern get, just is the group number 62 on it. My group only has the number 88, that can take a while with the border crossing,” says the young man.

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What he perhaps does not know yet: Since Austria is a daily limit for refugees has introduced and the adjacent countries of South-Eastern Europe also restrictions in the movement have decided, it is also in the Greek Idomeni only very slowly. Even war refugees from Syria are allowed currently only in small groups the border into Macedonia, cross – and only then when the neighboring country of Serbia his own limits for an appropriately small or large Flüchtlingsgruppe opens: An unwanted Domino effect on the Balkan Route from Turkey via Greece to Hungary and further on to Northern Europe.

Hope? Peace, Friends, Football

Safwat says that he could wait. But he also has a fear that the Northern border of Greece eventually cordoned off. “A few days ago it was said but suddenly, the Afghans may not at all times. Who tells me that the day after tomorrow is not also the Syrians by the authorities to be held?”, the man from Aleppo.

Javad from Afghanistan will not give up hope. Germany was a “good” country without war, because he wants to. And what would he do in Germany? “Live In peace, study. And play football with my friends.”