I hear that you are all very curious about how our activities are going. My only excuse is that we are so busy, I hardly get any sleep. Like me, other members of the team work up to 15 hours in a row: it is a challenge to keep everything up.

Our first expedition to Greece this week initiated by Taoufik and Thomai. Our team members are currently on Leros and Kos, to organize the Help Caravan and make contact with the Greek aid agencies there, in order to help where there is need. They have been there on local TV (also included in Dutch). They gave a first part of the donated money, in order to buy water and food with the Greek aid organizations. The first basic need!

You have helped us a lot in collecting, storing and sorting goods. The whole team has experienced warm feelings and admired all the friendly assistance and creative initiatives of all ordinary people who wanted to help. I call on the same creativity. This time not to collect goods, but money. Unfortunately we do not live in a cashless society. The wallet of the greek residents on the islands and on the borders after one year is empty. There are already a number of fundraising events organized for the Help Caravan held in the coming weeks. Would you also like to organize a fundraising event, or do you have any other ideas? Let us know, we want to cooperate! Donating via www.hulpkaravaangriekenland.nl/doneren.
Every little bit makes a big difference.

The collected items are for the most part already in main storage in Bleiswijk. We need a lot of people to help for the final sorting. If you want to help, please register via the email address vrijwiligerkaravaan@gmail.com
We are very grateful to all the companies who helped us to collect these goods throughout the Netherlands. It was a massive logistical operation, which was supervised by our volunteers, with great effort and effectiveness. Thanks a lot drivers and coordinators!

How does it proceed from here? Fortunately, our things are sorted and they can be easily distributed. We are in contact with transport organizations on land and water and with several truck drivers. We will hopefully present a detailed plan during this week. In addition, we are working to create a plan to help the refugees during the winter: we are close to a final agreement to have our own storage in Thessaloniki. We are making big steps, in order to make our project a true Aid Caravan. Unfortunately, we are still in need, and the situation in Greece is distressing. Taoufik and Thomai will share their experience with the  refugees and the aid agencies on Kos and Leros once they are back.

Givers, helpers, great team and other supporters. I am very grateful to you all for all that you are willing to give and do.

Erika