Stavros Theodorakis pointed out that the government needs to leverage the military camps that are no longer in use, owned by the Ministry of National Defense, so that small and more adequate accommodation centers can be established. The mayors that witnessed the living conditions in Hellenikon stated that what is happening right there is “an insult for migrants themselves, as well as for our local societies”.
Leader of To Potami Stavros Theodorakis visited Hellenikon airport, a district that has turned into a refugee center, accompanied by mayors of three areas of Athens. Mr Theodorakis and the mayors concluded that, despite the efforts made by municipalities, there are still insurmountable problems, which will not be tackled, unless the place is uncongested. Mr Theodorakis revealed that the government is planning to transfer 500 migrants more to Hellenikon. From their side, municipalities have been trying, for months now, to create the right conditions, in cooperation with volunteers and some NGOs, without any financial assistance from the state. Stavros Theodorakis pointed out that the government needs to leverage the military camps that are no longer in use, owned by the Ministry of National Defense, so that small and more adequate accommodation centers can be established. The mayors that witnessed the living conditions in Hellenikon stated that what is happening right there is “an insult for migrants themselves, as well as for our local societies”. They said that the current situation is insulting the country internationally, under these abhorrent conditions. The situation is now dangerous for public health and safety.
Stavros Theodorakis stated:
“We realized, along with the mayors, that what we were afraid of actually happened. There are 4.000 to 4.500 people. The place has turned into a ghetto. Municipalities, on their own, cannot take care of these people. We urge the government to make specific decisions. He heard that the government is planning to transfer more people to Hellenikon from Piraeus port, instead of trying to tackle the situation here, leading people to other accommodation places. We have already suggested specific places that could be used for this purpose, in an effort to create better conditions for refugees and migrants. The government is just playing with the migrant issue. But, this game must stop, as it is a dangerous one. Conditions will be even harder in summer, for these people, but for the area too. We cannot have a whole place that has turned into a ghetto. This is an insult to Greeks and to the entire case of migrants and refugees”.
Photo credit: Theodore Manolopoulos
