DHAKA: A regional governor has called on the Greek government to declare a state of emergency for the area surrounding the Idomeni border crossing where thousands of refugees are stranded due to border restrictions along the route towards Western Europe.
About 13,000-14,000 people are trapped in Idomeni, while another 6,000-7,000 are being housed in refugee camps around the region, according to Apostolos Tzitzikostas, governor of Central Macedonia province, reports Al Jazeera.
‘It’s a huge humanitarian crisis. I have asked the government to declare the area in a state of emergency,’ Tzitzikostas said during a visit to Idomeni on Saturday to distribute aid to the Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations.
‘This cannot continue for much longer.’
Aid agencies have expanded the Idomeni camp as new arrivals cause more overcrowding.
However, living conditions are deteriorating and it is feared another 18,000 refugees elsewhere in Greece will eventually arrive at the border.
Al Jazeera’s Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Idomeni, said, ‘Once it is in place - and that will not be before Monday - it would mean there is a release of emergency funds, first 200,000 euros, to help out in this camp, provide more tents, food, blankets and facilities. There is no running water here’.
BDST: 1300 HRS, MAR 06, 2016
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