Background

The A21 Campaign (A21) is a nonprofit organization that is actively working with refugees on the border crossing of Greece and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) which makes up 70% of the total refugees entering into the European Union. 

Their team is providing shade, baby formula, and clothing to meet the immediate needs of the 5,000 - 14,000 people who are crossing the border each day, and brought in 450 tons of gravel to lay the foundation for aid to be distributed. They have also developed an innovative, mobile water system to provide clean water, and have been invited to replicate this model on the Island of Chios, Greece. In addition, they are distributing human trafficking prevention literature to help protect thousands of people who are passing through. All of this has been accomplished in the three short weeks.

A21’s Response

On September 9, the A21 team arrived at the scene and what was before them was a farmer’s field that was full of mud, trash, and people. There was no protection from weather elements, no water, and no electricity. It was a scene of chaos with little infrastructure.

During that first day on the ground, A21 provided temporary shade, handed out baby formula, and played with the kids, but they knew a greater and more long-term response was required. They met with the Mayor who was working with civil engineers and overseeing the response of local authorities and oered to come alongside their eorts and meet the needs that had been identified.



After multiple conversations and as a result of persistence, A21 was granted permission to provide gravel, which established trust and relationship. On September 14, 450 tons of gravel was delivered and the foundation of the site was laid, allowing A21 and the partner agencies to move forward with bringing relief. In three weeks, the A21 team has been able to provide shade, baby formula, and clothing to meet the immediate need, and has distributed human tracking prevention literature to help protect thousands of people who are passing through.

After being told that providing clean water was impossible, the team created and built an innovative water station that is complete with twenty water faucets, safe flooring, solar panels for 24/7 electricity and lighting, and a water filter. A21 also funded the building of a 2km long water line and installed water pumps to create the necessary water pressure that is needed to sustain this station. In addition, the water station was built in a shipping container so it is able to be transported as future crisis situations arise. A21 is committed to ongoing support that is eective, able to be replicated, and sustainable.

Sustainability

This is addressing the basic human needs (water, food, clothing) in an innovative way. Instead of following the traditional models of refugee water supply, they have created and built a mobile water station that is complete with twenty water faucets, safe flooring, solar panels for 24/7 electricity and lighting, and a water filter. A21 also funded the building of a 2km long water line and installed water pumps to create the necessary water pressure that is needed to sustain this station. In addition, the water station was built in a shipping container so it can be transported as future crisis situations arise.

A21 has demonstrated a commitment to ongoing support that is effective, able to be replicated, and sustainable, and has the opportunity to expand their efforts into a new region by invitation of the UN. They are also looking ahead to the winter months and have put in place a strategy for providing winter clothing, shoes, water ponchos, and toys for children.

Evaluation

This is a new initiative that is supporting proven strategy of refugee relief. 

A21 is working alongside other agencies and nonprofits who are present at the border crossing (UNHCR, The Red Cross, and Doctor's Without Borders) to collaborate and provide what is needed for the thousands of refugees who are crossing at this location each day. 

The water station creation and construction paired with the human trafficking prevention outreach are two examples of how A21 is breaking new ground and addressing the refugee crisis from a vantage point of longevity. Their commitment to working alongside the local authorities and meeting the needs that exist within the greater strategy is also apparent in the work that they do and is providing greater opportunities for expansion through invitation, such as the opportunity to construct two new water systems on a different border crossing. 

Due to the recent decisions of the European council to increase assistance in aid and refugee relocation through the opening of borders, it is likely that there will be an even greater influx in refugees as people move from overburdened countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey. 

A21 is committed to ongoing support of these border crossing locations over the next ten months and will continue to institute best practices and evidence-based response in order to enhance and strengthen this crisis response.

Update