Europe: Extreme winter weather

10 January 2017 - Severe winter weather and extreme temperatures as low as – 30 degrees Celsius in some areas are affecting much of Central, Southern and Eastern Europe. The worst of the cold weather began at the beginning of January in many countries but in Poland, the impact of freezing temperatures was felt as early as November 2016.

The severe weather is reported[1] to have claimed at least 40 lives. According to recent media reports[2], several people have died in eastern Ukraine[3] and Belarus and a further ten in Poland although numbers are not officially confirmed. Asylum seekers and refugees living in camps and sleeping outdoors across Europe are at high risk, as well as homeless people and the elderly.

National Societies across Europe are working to provide warm clothes, hot food, blankets and first aid to people caught in severe weather. In Greece and the Balkans, teams are assisting both the local population (homeless, vulnerable people, stranded motorists) and asylum seekers and refugees who have already endured months in harsh conditions.

Winter conditions in Greece

According to the Government of Greece, more than 62,500 people, primarily families are stranded in Greece. Conditions in camps remain difficult and the humanitarian needs are immense.[4] The Hellenic Red Cross, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and partner National Societies, is working to ensure adequate care and improve the living conditions for migrants and refugees who will remain in Greece for an indefinite period of time.

The Red Cross has distributed emergency winter kits at seven sites across the Attica region and northern Greece. People received thermal blankets, sleeping bags, a rain coat, leggings, winter socks, a warm hat, gloves, scarf and long sleeve fleece top. The Hellenic Red Cross, supported by the IFRC and partner National Societies, will continue to work across 11 locations. The operation has adapted to meet the needs arising from long-term stay. In addition to providing emergency items and cash assistance, the Red Cross provides medical care, addresses growing psychosocial support needs, provides services to reconnect family members, improve hygiene and sanitation, and crucially, provide information.

Following an assessment of shelter needs and gaps, Red Cross has provided additional support to the Government of Greece through the supply and installation of flooring to upgrade and insulate tents against the cold at different locations across Greece.

The winter kits were provided to migrants and refugees at seven sites across Greece including the northern camps of Diavata, Nea Kavala, Softex Kordelio, Cherso and Oreokastro in northern Greece, and Skaramagas and Ritsona in the Attica region. The Red Cross is standing by to provide winter kits to people staying at other locations if needed.

Although the Red Cross is not working on the provision of shelter, we have taken steps to ensure that we can provide additional emergency shelter infrastructure should it be needed. For instance, improved water supply, drainage, rooves for water points, and better insulated showers and toilets.

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[1] BBC Online

[2] Guardian

[3] Telegraph

[4] UNHCR 1 December 2016

 

 

 

 

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