Anglicans in Athens readjust response to refugees in light of new circumstances

Examples of items and children’s packs being collected by the Anglican Chaplaincy in Athens for a refugee/migrant camp close to Athens

Since the closure of the Greek northern border with Macedonia a different response to the refugee/migrant crisis in Greece has had to be made. No longer are the needs of transient refugees/migrants the priority. Instead it is the 54.000 refugees/migrants now stranded in hurriedly erected ‘closed camps’.As a consequence the Anglican chaplaincy in Athens, in partnership with Us (formerly known as USPG), is reviewing the programmes it, until of late, has been engaged in and is making appropriate re-adjustments.

Recently the chaplaincy has started a programme whereby, once a month, a collection of a limited number of easily obtainable things is made among the English-speaking community connected to the Church. These will help to make day to day life in a camp a little more tolerable. This month it is toothpaste, tooth brushes and soap. Next month it will be sun-lotion, insect repellent and simple head gear. Another focus will be packs containing crayons, colouring books, stickers, lined and plain paper and small toys for a substantial child population now existing in the camps.

St Paul's in Athens receives many visitors also, particularly pilgrim groups "walking in the steps of St Paul". These pilgrims are also making contributions to these collections.

Refugees in Victoria Square Athens