A Day In The Life Of Afghan Refugees In Athens' Victoria Square - Huffington Pos

ATHENS, Greece -- Afghan refugees have flooded Victoria Square in Greek's capital city in recent weeks. Gathered either in families or in big groups of men, they spend their time sitting on the grass or the benches of the square.

This past Wednesday, angry citizens forced the cancellation of a Red Cross food handout in the area. On Friday, however, the atmosphere was noisy but peaceful and safe. Two police cars were parked nearby, and officers discreetly kept an eye on things. Two elderly people said they'd been talking with refugees "on their bench" for years now. A good disposition and sign language were enough to overcome the language barrier. 

Arash, a member of Athens' longstanding Afghan community, is helping the refugees who have just arrived. 

"There is no problem with the residents,” Arash said, referring to the people living in the neighborhood. He said that occasionally tempers flare when women living in the area come to bring the refugees food and clothes, as everyone is trying to get the supplies they need. "People are in greet need," he said. "The ladies are surprised, but they understand." 

As HuffPost Greece spoke with Arash, a middle-aged Greek woman approached. She asked how she could help, saying she could take in a whole family and put them up at her home if they want.

Arash thanked the woman, but explained that everyone who was on the square now would be gone in two or three days at most.

Everyone wants to leave for northern Europe. The Afghans on Victoria Square are waiting for relatives in Afghanistan, Europe or Canada to send them money. The funds are transferred through currency exchange desks or through local Afghan shops whose owners charge a “commission” for their services.

Asked why there were only Afghans on the square, Arash explained that Afghans usually stop for longer in every country than the Syrians who are making their way to northern Europe. The Afghans are usually poorer, and for safety reasons, they don't carry as much money as the Syrian refugees.  "They carry money on them from the start and move fast," Arash said.

Part of that money is spent on food and transportation, but the largest share is given to traffickers. On Victoria Square, traffickers are mostly seen at night, “scanning” the place, approaching families and bargaining.

Every nationality has its own traffickers, and they are organized in networks. The smuggler in Athens will put the migrants or refugees on a bus or train to the city of Thessaloniki. He will give them basic instructions and the phone number of his partner there. The partner will meet the travelers at the station, take them to the Macedonian border and tell them how to contact the next link in the chain. It goes like this, until the travelers reach Germany. - Read More at Huffpost

A Day In The Life Of Afghan Refugees In Athens' Victoria Square - More

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