Refugees and Migrants

I was going to write about the boats the refugees come across the water in, and I will, but today I should describe my first contact with refugees. 

On the nights when we don't patrol we are still on call to help the other NGO (Proactiva) with whom we share patrol duties. This morning at about 0430 we got a call on the alarm phone saying that they were with a refugee boat along with Frontex and the coastguard. We immediately went out. As we were en route we heard that they were bringing in a medical case fast while the others were being brought in more leisurely by Frontex. Since I am a nearly registered paramedic I offered my assistance. 

Proactiva is a boat crewed by lifeguards which has been in the area since October so they are much more organised than us. Once I went aboard it was soon clear that they have a very well stocked medical kit and a nurse on board. The woman was (I think) Iraqi who was having an anxiety attack which she could not control. This can lead to unconsciousness which is why they brought her in fast. She was met by a UNHCR (UN refugee agency) on call doctor and I made my way back on board Mo Chara 

We continued on and escorted the heavily laden Frontex boat back to Skala. I found it slightly surreal. Today and tomorrow are the peak days for the Perseid meteor shower. So above us was a very clear Milky way with occasional shooting stars blasting across the heavens and as our hull slapped the wavelets little bursts of phosphorescence exploded in our wash. It felt like we were driving through a sea of light, escorting people who were probably wishing on every single one of those shooting stars for a better life. 

Once Frontex came alongside the refugees were brought onto the dock and made to sit down. The NGO Lighthouse Relief were there to meet them. They gave them food and water and dry clothes. As one man got off the boat he fell to his knees and prayed. It was very affecting to see. There were a couple of children and women among the men. All 44 people were brought safely ashore from their boat. They were from Iraq, Eritrea, Senegal, Cameroon, Congo, and Bangladesh. There was a mixture of Arabic and French in the air. 

They were well and respectfully treated but I was a little surprised to see a journalist shine his torch in people's faces and ask them questions without much in the way of gaining consent. Seeing the curiosity of a boy who must have been about 10 who came to have a look at us and our boat made me feel both extremely sad and hopeful that his journey hasn't broken his spirit. 

Back out on patrol again tonight. We shall see if any more come across. I hope to catch sight of a few more meteors as well.