Refugee Crisis: Europe Must Find a Humane and Dignified Response
The journey of a refugee is one of endurance, as successive emotional and physical hazards causes yet another blow to their health and wellbeing. It begins in their home countries, where traumatic events stalk them as the risks of travelling to the border can be as great as staying in a bombed neighbourhood.
Once the border is reached, the journey to Europe is an ordeal with an unknown destination that can take months, often involving crossing mountains, seas and risking their lives from drowning, violence and attacks.
Women and girls are vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and routine health care is hard to come by. One doctor providing care on a ferry to Greece reported how a patient had just given birth in the mountains with the help of her five-year-old son and, after delivering the baby, simply stood up and continued walking to make it to the ferry.
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