FROM CHIOS TO CEPHALONIA

                                

I was, primarily, fascinated by the title of Mr Kapranos’ inspired article in the daily newspaper Estia, of the 4th September.   They are two reasons for my reaction, the first being that my husband was from Chios and I am for from Cephalonia and the second, and most important one, is my deep concern about the very serious immigration and refugee problem that our country is facing since the 1990s, the escalation of which is described in my post of the 31^st August 2019, titled REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS.

Mr Kapranos also regards the influx of immigrants into Greece as a very difficult situation for our country, but from another aspect.  He describes the arrival of the refugees as “a peculiar war and a very dangerous invasion”.   He goes on to say that as Greece is in a period of deep economic recession, it cannot extend hospitality to such a great number of “uninvited guests”.

Unfortunately, our partners in the European Union do not realise the enormous difficulties that Greece is facing with the immigration problem.  They are even turning public opinion against us.  Nobody has asked us if we can endure the very unfair clauses of the Dublin convention that burden with their weight the immigration of Greece and Italy, only.   They, also, reproach us of the terrible conditions that the refugees are living in, which is true, but it is not our fault that they are here.

Nobody asks how the Greek islanders are coping with the plethora of immigrants who are arriving daily from Turkey, a fact that has changed their life for the worse, in the last few years and for which they are not responsible.   Neither has anybody inquired how the residents of Chios, Lesvos, Samos and other Aegean islands must have felt when “hot spots” were created on their shores as if they were amusement parks.

The immigration problem ought to be a European topic but it is, unfortunately, only Greek,  therefore, the social background of our country is changing rapidly, violently even tragically, despite our will.  

According to the UNHCR, nearly 20.000 refugees and immigrants have arrived in Greece by sea, so far this year, while another 7000 have arrived via Greece’s northern border with Turkey.

Obviously, people fleeing from the wrath of war should be helped.  But can everybody be aided by Greece alone?  Can we endure and afford it?

EU partners, let us all share offering shelter to these unfortunate people and, please, stop criticising us, unjustly, because we simply cannot bear this very heavy burden alone.

(Thanking Estia and Mr Kapranos for the very interesting information in his article, without which, this post would not have been written.)