More than 5,000 refugees are piled up in the port of Kos, while another flock of dinghies spits out nearly a thousand souls from Syria.
“I spent the entire summer of 2014 here and within a few months the island has turned into a completely different place,” says MTV Greece presenter Sophie-Theodora Giltizi.
“I live in Athens but my family are permanent residents. I’m gobsmacked by how Kos went from paradise to hell in a jiffy.”
Giltizi feels that describing the situation as ‘dire’ is an understatement. She fears the backlash from the poor living conditions the refugees, as well as the Kos residents, are faced with will be immense.
“Thousands of people were locked in the Antagoras football ground screaming for food, water and registration,” she tells Neos Kosmos.
“The unbearable heat and the poor hygiene conditions are making the immigrants aggressive.”
The majority of Kos’ people go to great lengths to feed and care for the refugees out of their own pockets, however, the local authorities’ unwillingness and the increasing numbers of people landing on the coasts in shambles on a daily basis, have worn them out.
“Our beautiful island is in disarray. My family tries to help but they are starting to worry and fear for the worst,” emphasises Giltizi, wondering “what will happen in a month or two?”
“There’s no reception centre and no official government program to provide them with essentials.”
Greece is a cash-strapped nation going through its own hell at the moment, which is why Giltizi and people living on islands like Kos were pinning their hopes on the first measures under the EU Migration Agenda.
“International aid groups are criticising the Greek government for the poor treatment,” she says, stressing that Greece has received no help from the EU.
Meanwhile, Greek American Kos resident Elias Svinos describes an even worse predicament for the island’s population of 35,000.
“Our daily ‘refugee-intake’ is in the thousands,” he says.
“The situation is far beyond our capacity as it is, yet, the UNCHR are estimating another 25,000 to arrive by the end of October.”
Svinos, who works as a translator and English teacher, is thinking of relocating to the United States.
“No one seems to be thinking long term,” he adds, pointing to the over 100,000 Syrians stacking up in the Turkish coasts, ready to jump on board the first vessel heading towards the Mediterranean.
“These are the circumstances under which hot-headed Golden Dawn supporters convince people racism is the only solution.”
Fights broke out during a registration procedure the other day and Svinos confirms both ends were aggressive.
“A lot of people are taking matters into their own hands as the EU and local government have turned their backs on Kos,” he admits.
“Most refugees are of Syrian background, fleeing an ongoing civil war to re-obtain their freedom and are being locked-up all over again.”
According to Svinos, the people of Kos are afraid hunger and frustration might make the immigrants resort to criminal behaviour down the track. The residents are divided and ideologically confused.
“I am concerned about my family; they don’t feel safe,” he says.
“There have been some petty crimes and a couple of muggings but it feels like the situation can explode and escalate at any given moment.”
Svinos is disappointed with the indifference being demonstrated by people across the globe towards this pressing issue.
“The world has practically become numb by the information and misinformation overload, or maybe humans are inherently selfish and continue to live as such until disaster explodes on their own doorstep.”