The tale of refugees
They have to sell their land and their house and borrow heavily to pay the human traffickers. Then, they have to cross the border into Turkey, often illegally, over razor wire fences, and then they have to make their way to the smugglers to be pushed onto the boats. They are told the journey will be safe; there will be only 30 to 35 people on the boat. But in reality, as many as 55 to 60 people are put on each boat. And the smugglers are armed to keep the refugees 'under control.' These dinghies often break down at sea and drift for hours. Sometimes the boats are attacked by vigilantes. Those who reach the shore end up in overcrowded camps.
In July this year, 24,000 people arrived at the island of Lesbos. And by September, the number was over one hundred thousand. The international community must do more to reduce the suffering of the refugees.
Ted Rudow III, MA
CA, USA
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