In a letter to the Minister of Migration Policy, the Mayor of Chios island called for immediate action in the relocation of at least 300 refugees and migrants living outside the Souda beach camp in advance of expected bad weather.
Mr. Vournikas sent his letter “in view of the anticipated cold weather in the coming hours,” and copied it to the relevant departments of the Decentralized Administration of the Aegean.
With temperatures plummeting, dozens of refugees residing outside the hospitality center were reportedly trying to protect themselves from the rain and cold however they could. Some immigrants tried to dig channels with shovels, sticks and even their hands to divert the water from their tents, after the storm had driven many families out of their makeshift shelters due to flooding.
Refugees told Politischios.gr that they had had a very difficult night because the rain was great in intensity and duration. “Babies were crying all night because they were afraid of the lightning and thunder. The situation is tragic, we can not live here. This is not our life,” one man said.
What is most worrisome is that in the case of Souda, there has been no provision, either by the Municipality or the government, to ensure safe harbour for so many people who have been living in tents on Souda beach.
