EU migrant crisis: What is being done

Hundreds of Syrian migrants have begun to board a giant passenger ferry on the Greek island of Kos – which will provide them with temporary accommodation.

One of the closest Greek islands to the Turkish mainland, Kos resembles an apparently attractive choice for illegal migrants attempting to cross into Europe – although the reality of Kos is quite different. He is among thousands escaping Syria through Turkey and sailing in crowded dinghies to Greece’s Mediterranean islands. They are fleeing war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. “We were told we could no longer register at the stadium” where Greek authorities were registering new arrivals this week, said Sleiman, a Syrian refugee among those gathering near the ferry in the morning.

In the past year, Turkey has increased patrols in the Aegean by 50 percent, according to the government.

The extra police deployment came after the island’s mayor, Giorgos Kiritsis, warned of “bloodshed” if the situation on the island of 33,000 people – where around 7,000 migrants are waiting to apply for immigration papers – worsened. He has little food and water, but still hopes to find a way to leave soon. On Thursday, young men tried to jump over the walls of the stadium to escape.

Many, like the residents of the hotel, had been sleeping rough on the island for weeks. The aid agency said it had treated 30 people for heat exhaustion and crush injuries.

“We are in a vicious cycle, and we keep turning round and round”, he said. The vessel is to be used to house migrants.

More than 300 others were rescued by the Italian Navy.

Most migrants are intent on reaching northern Europe. Although Turkey is hosting almost 2 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country, many Syrians say they do not see a future there.

Riot police have been sent to the area and Minister of State Alekos Flabouraris said a 2500 person cruise ship has also been dispatched to act as a processing centre.

“But I won’t forget Kos, and I mean that in a bad way”, Nizar says.

The couple, who have only been in Kos for two days, are among a handful of locals and tourists who are stepping up to help in the absence of governmental assistance.

Kyritsis said it would cost €6 a day to feed each migrant on the island.

Most chanted and yelled, but Ali al-Jowardi, a 20-year-old college student who has been camping out in various spots in Kos for days, only slumped in despair next to the clothes he had just washed at sea.

Tozzi said the survivors included three children and 45 women, some of whom “were crying for their husbands (and) their children who died in the crossing“.

“We have heard enough stories for us to be concerned”, MSF humanitarian affairs officer Constance Theisen told AFP, adding that the first such reports started coming in in July. At the same time, Turkish traffickers have proliferated. The great majority of people arriving here are refugees fleeing war in Syria and Afghanistan.