Another cynical and embarrrising ploy by NGO Because We Carry.
Wanneer: 31/01/2021 - 07:10
In another cynical and embarrrising ploy by NGO Because We Carry, their infamous ingnorance shined through when dared present several people inside the camp with the following questionaire. The fact that these options are presented as "choices" in the form of a questionare would be utterly embarrasing if it was not so cynical.
Granted, people involved with Because We Carry have said certain things that show how out of touch the organisation is with the people, the camp itself and any form of political opinion or awareness whatsoever. But this shows us a complete uncensored picture of the attitude of Because We Carry, their structure and the Europeans who chose to work or volunteer with them.
"We are really interested in your idea's."
What is needed for the woman and men in the RIC? People are able to choose from a list of things in which litteraly everything should be considered a fundamental element for a dignified life. Yet the instructions on top of the list cleary show it is only allowed to choose 4 things. How should one choose, even hypothatically, between fighting a rat infestation or having a warmer tent? Or, education for kids or better quality food? The other options on the paper are not any better ( shower for woman or a place to relax? Pheraps a place to do laundry OR a place to dance) and I will not waste any time talking about what food people would like to get IF they could get it.
"What is most needed/needs to change in the camp?"
Everything. Everything needs to change. For starters, these all of the conditions mentioned on the forms are part of what the pandemic showed the whole world are the basic material ( better food, hygiene) and social needs ( communal space, a space to dance and relax) for human beings in general. To present these basic elements as choices is an act of disdain and contempt. It's a vile visualisation of the structural inhumane treament organisations like Because We Carry reproduce on a daily basis by reinforcing the cynical "humanitarian" hierarchies that enable the stagnation of the desperate and cruel situation of the people inside Moria 2.0. Organisations like this consent to working in a Camp where it's illegal for both the people being held there and the volunteers to share pictures or movies from the inside on the threat of a heavy fine. Organisations like this consent to not only work in a prison, but structurally support it. Food, shelter, personal hygiene and self determination should not be a privilege, and neither should they be part of the purposefully vague concept of "human rights" that only seem to matter when the authorities in question allow it to matter. Another perfect example of the infamous neo-colonial Dutch mentality that contributed to inequality and suffering for several hundreds years. And it is exactly the mentality that keeps people fleeing from war and economical suffering in abismal camps.
Never heard of this NGO, so I checked out their website and found this...
Inspired by Gandhi in their yoga classes?
Some people need a history lesson. And a brick through their window...
See also https://indymedia.nl/node/48814
And then look at the difference of this text and way of organising:
Setting up a needs-based distribution system for refugees in Lesvos
Due to the number of organisations currently working on Lesvos, there is no organised way to distribute items to the refugees. Every organisation has its own warehouses with its own donors, with its own thoughts on donations and its own system. This means that a lot of the time refugees are receiving what is donated rather than what is needed. In even worse cases unwanted aid is being left to rot in warehouses or being dumped in fields. The Moria Corona Awareness Team (MCAT), Stand by Me Lesvos and The Hope Project are working together to make an efficient donation system where the refugees tell us exactly what they need and we get it to them. Stand by me Lesvos will be dealing with logistics and organisation. Moria Corona Awareness team will be receiving the demands and giving the items directly to those in need. The Hope project will be in charge of donations and distribution.
In order to be efficient as possible MCAT will be going tent by tent and zone by zone with documents to fill out. The documents will be filled in with items, amounts and sizes needed for each person or family. They will be starting in the family zones moving on to single men. They will also be continuing their recycling program, where in return for the refugees bringing a certain amount of bottles, they receive extra items in return, such as food and hygiene supplies.
This system will not only be a need-based approach but also a rights-based approach. Focusing on what individuals need but also what they should be receiving according to the rights granted to them by the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Declaration of Human Rights. We hope that our new system will not only help refugees but other NGOs, by setting up a long term way of distribution for organisations.
About the organisations:
Moria Corona Awareness Team (MCAT):
MCAT is one of several refugee self organizations created in Lesvos in spring 2020. Since then it focused on awareness campaigns, waste management and conducted a successful recycling system inside the camps. MCAT also helps to address the urgent needs of refugees and intervenes in emergency situations. It is partnering with different local and international NGOs to fulfil these tasks.
Moria Corona Awareness Team
The Hope Project:
The Hope Project is founded on the principles of dignity, compassion, freedom and safety for all. They aim to provide aid & support for people in need. This primary focus is on people fleeing conflict, facing injustice, poverty or persecution. They currently run four warehouses focussing on people in need. Their main focus is distribution, clothes and hygiene. Under normal circumstances, they also run an art centre doing music, dance, greek dancing, poetry, theatre and music. They also run greek language lessons, women’s gym, women’s arts and crafts, women salon, men’s barbers and tailoring facilities. All their facilities are managed and run by volunteers from the refugee community.
https://www.hopeprojectgreece.org
Stand by Me Lesvos (SBML):
A Greek NGO assisting refugees and locals in Lesvos with education and consultancy. Founded in 2017 was focusing on education until March 2020. After the outbreak of Corona, it got involved in supporting various refugee self-help organisations and implemented a variety of different programs both in the refugee camps and for the local Greek community in Lesvos.
www.standbymelesvos.gr
We aim to prepare this system during the current times of Covid-19 that make that makes sure everyone both working in the organisations and the refugees themselves are safe. Everything that is needed in the camp can be found in Europe or the island itself. Although we always try to buy locally and support local business, the lockdown restrictions are making it challenging. So currently we’re focussing on receiving donations from abroad unless we need anything urgently.
Donations List:
https://www.hopeprojectgreece.org/send-relief-aid
source: https://www.facebook.com/MoriaCoronaAwarenessTeam/posts/244780267151151?...