Greece
Antonis Rigas: “There will be violence”
The refugees in the Greek Idomeni at the sealed-off border to Macedonia are desperate. Antonis Rigas of the aid organization Doctors without borders describes in the DW-Interview for the position.
For the thousands of refugees currently at the border to Macedonia no way Through
DW: How is the location of the closed border is currently?
Riga: Yesterday it was very tense. Today, it is a little better, but we think that it can’t go on like this. The tension and desperation of the people leads to a lot of violence. We are sure: you will always be trying to cross the border and the fence to tear down.
How will develop the situation further if the border remains closed?
It will be in the coming days will be very bad. I’m sure of it. These people can not stay in the fields in no man’s land, with only tents to live in. This is impossible. Therefore, there will be violence.
What is now most urgently necessary?
We need a Plan of the government and the people to accommodate. The camp is designed for 2000 people, it is impossible to accommodate the 9500 refugees that are now here.
The Greek government is doing something for the refugees?
Nothing at all. We expect a lot more from the government. We know that the Ministry of defence has set up camp. So two military warehouses in the Region to accommodate people. But someone has to come in here and there, to reduce the size of the Problem here.
What help there is for the refugees in the tents?
“Doctors without borders” distributed food and water. We have chemical toilets and latrines, and even hot showers. But for so many people that’s not enough for everything.
As the refugees come to the border?
Most come by train to Thessaloniki, because the police are no buses. And then you have to take Taxis to get to the Idomeni.
What people are currently stranded at the border?
More than 25 percent of the refugees come as families. 35 percent of people younger than 18 years. You are from Syria, Iraq and some in Afghanistan.
Who takes care of even the refugees there?
The UN refugee Agency, UNHCR, is. To Save the children”, the” Red cross”,” Médecins du Monde”, as well as some local non-governmental organizations of Greece”.
People at this point come up at all now across the border to the Balkans, to travel route?
The border to is. In the past three days, more than 300 people have crossed the border.
The people have a choice other than to endure?
I don’t think so. Where should they go?
Antonis Rigas directs in Idomeni the use of the non-governmental organization “Doctors without borders – Médecins Sans Frontières”. The Interview was conducted by Andreas Gorzewski.