Solidarity Symi - Mid-Week Update

The many hundreds of Syrian refugees who passed through Symi last week are now on their way, having found places on ferries on Monday.  After a brief lull with only 28 people on the island yesterday, 100 new arrivals are being brought round to the police station now for processing.  If anyone reading this is on the island and can spare an hour or two to help out at the relief centre in the old post office, please call Wendy on +30 6945 822 896.

On a more immediate note, funds collected in our collection boxes on the island are used to provide daily necessities such as food, water and medicines.  We work on a budget of 2.50 euros per person per day for food and water which is quite a tight budget but if you think about it, that means that for today's arrivals we will be spending 250 euros per day for their sustenance until they are able to leave.  If you can donate even 10 euros you are providing food and water for 4 people for a day so any donation, no matter how modest, helps.

If you use Facebook and follow our page, we post our daily requirements as needed so that people on the island know what is needed such as Pampers (baby's nappies), men's shorts and so on.   The more people can donate these kinds of items, the further the cash donations go.

The on line collection http://www.everyclick.com/solidaritysymi/info reached its initial goal within a week and a new target has been set. Funds raised this way will be used to improve reception facilities and infrastructure such as toilets, showers, sleeping mats and shade.  As we move into winter additional shelter and bedding will also be needed.

Thank you very much for your support and generosity. We cannot solve the problems of the world or bring peace to the Middle East but we can all do our part to alleviate distress as much as it is within our capabilities to do so.

Adriana on behalf of
Wendy Wilcox and Andrew Davies
Solidarity Symi