Every day, Sawsan Abu Ajamia and a handful of colleagues provide around 5000 people crossing the border from Greece to Macedonia with necessary information and basic care.
“Most of the families came across the Mediterranean Sea to Greece, before they arrive to the Macedonian border. It is a very tough and dangerous journey. Many people have not slept for several days. They have been on the move, from one place to the next, in search of safety”, Ajamia says.
She is deployed from the Norwegian Refugee Council´s emergency roster NORCAP to support UNHCR in Macedonia. As the only Arabic speaking person on the team, she is providing information to the many families arriving from countries like Syria and Iraq.
Overwhelmed
At the boarder crossing relief agencies have set up some tents, to give the families temporary shelter while they are waiting to cross. UNHCR and several charity organizations are providing water and food. And some organizations are handing out clothes.
“We try to help, but we are overwhelmed. Many people are cold and ask for clothes”, Ajamia says.
While the refugees wait for their turn to cross the border, the deployee attends to children, sick, handicapped and other vulnerable cases. With a tough journey behind and ahead of them – they need food, water, clothes, wheel chairs and crutches. Most of the people are continuing by train or bus towards Serbia.
Glad to help
Ajamia is working 12 hours a day, trying to answer all kinds of questions.
“The families are concerned they don’t have enough money. They are afraid to be sent back. Afraid they will have to stay in camps. Afraid they will not be able to pass the different border crossings. And afraid their family will be separated. I provide them with the information we have”, Ajamia explains.
She is glad to be able to support.
“The work is very tough and we work long hours, but I like it. A lot of people arrive from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq – and they are very happy to get some information in a language they understand. For me it is good to be able to help, and to see that the families feel secure and calm. If they have no information they become nervous and wonder what is going on”, she says.