Mary Houldsworth, known as Flowa, gave a graphic account of living conditions for thousands of refugees in Samos, Lesbos and near the Macedonian border.
Flowa has worked in many of these camps for Medecins sans Frontieres and so was able to illustrate her talk with many photos.
Volunteers are doing what they can to help as are many generous people in Greece but the need is growing and more people are coming to the camps every day. Refugees live in tents and have to spend much of the day queuing for food, clothes and other essentials of life.
Gary Hill followed with an account of the work he has been doing in Calais and elsewhere, building shelters for the refugees.
After an inspiring song, led by Alison Whittall, the meeting was told about initiatives to make Crediton a town of welcome.
The government has agreed to take 20,000 Syrian refugees from camps outside Europe and local authorities can bid to be a sponsoring body.
Funding will be provided from the Home Office for up to five years, so it will not affect local budgets.
Mid Devon District Council has not signed up but if enough people show their desire to have some families here and can pledge their support, this could change.
Pledge forms were handed out during the meeting in which people could offer support in a number of ways including befriending, translating or offering accommodation.
Many people at the meeting took forms and are beginning to return them showing that there is a real desire in the town to do something practical to help.
The forms are available in Crediton Library or the “Crediton Courier” office.
If you would like a form emailed, these can be obtained on request to: [email protected] .
Once completed, the forms should be returned to the “Courier” office at 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF. More information can be provided by Gerald Conyngham by emailing: [email protected] .
A collection for Medecins sans Frontieres raised £184.
Alan Quick
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