Greece Moves Thousands Of Migrants From Idomeni Camp

Thousands of stranded migrants are being evacuated from the makeshift Idomeni camp on Greeces northern border with Macedonia.Most are being taken to specially designed processing facilities some 80km (50 miles) south, near Greeces second city, Thessaloniki.Hundreds of riot police moved into the camp at dawn, but the authorities have stressed force will not be used.The Greek-Macedonia border was closed in March.Since then at least 8,400 peoplemany of them women and childrenhave remained stranded in the border area, having been prevented from continuing their journey to northern Europe.A police helicopter has been circling overhead and we have seen riot police heading to the camp. But so far the situation appears calm and residents are leaving voluntarily. More than 10 buses have left with families on board.Only journalists from Greek national television are being allowed to film the clearance operation. Others are being kept back at a roadblock along with some aid workers and a group of childrens entertainers who used to organise activities at the camp. When the buses pass us, clowns jump up and down and dance at little refugee children who wave back.Last week when we visited Idomeni camp, many expected this clearance operation. But they were reluctant to leave their location by the border gate with Macedonia, even though it has remained firmly closed since March.Many of the migrants are from conflict zones in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. They have been living in tents, with little food to eat.One Syrian, Rezan, who has been at the camp since early March, said that despite the poor conditions he did not want to leavealthough he would if he had to.I prepared my bags. If they didnt use force, I will stay for a while, but if they use force, I didnt come here to fight anybody. I will just go. I escaped from Syria because I dont want to fight anybody, he told the BBC.The post Greece Moves Thousands Of Migrants From Idomeni Camp appeared first on Nigerian News from Leadership News.
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