+++BREAKING+++ Sea-Watch is called to rescue 27 refugees in the Aegean Sea
At 2.30 am, Sea-Watch captain Phil had received an unusual call by the Greek coastguards in Kós: “Hello my friend, can you help us? Can you tug a refugee boat back to the harbor?” Since the start of the monitoring mission in the Aegean Sea, it seemed as though the Coast Guards did not appreciate the presence of NGOs in their waters. But for the Greek commander in Kós, it was a relief to be able to call the Sea-Watch crew for assistance. “This rescue was an important sign for us: Good cooperation with the authorities could always look like this”, Captain Phil says.
One hour later, 27 people from Syria and Iraq are sitting on the deck of the Sea-Watch 1. Two of them are Hiba and Fadia – two sisters from Damaskus. They sold their laptop and all their belongings to pay for the boat to Greece. “We only have our passports and the medicine for our mother with us”, Fadia says shyly. For three years now, their father has been living in Dortmund. All they want is to live with their family in a safe place again. “Turkey is no good place for us”, says the 26-year old Fadia, who wants to finish her Masters, when she arrives to Germany. If she arrives.
*Laila is scared. Of bombs. Of crossing the sea at night. And of publishing her name before her asylum status is confirmed. She would not need to be afraid, if there was a #SafePassage to Europe.
Text and Photos: Theresa Leisgang