We must not abandon people in need, the PES said as it expressed its shock and sadness at the devasting fire at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

The blaze, which broke out early last Wednesday, has left 12,000 people homeless. Residents of the camp are now in desperate need of emergency shelter.

PES President Sergei Stanishev said:

“We are witnessing a human tragedy become a humanitarian disaster on Lesbos. It is devastating. As Europeans, it is our duty now to pull together and to offer immediate help. We must not abandon these refugees, we must act in solidarity now and we must work to close these overcrowded and dangerous camps. This situation cannot continue. We urgently need a long term, sustainable and humanitarian policy based on solidarity and shared responsibility.

“We call for all EU Member States to offer support, and to work to evacuate and relocate the people from the Moria camp. We strongly welcome the action already taken by progressive Commissioner Ylva Johansson, who has ensured the European Commission will finance the immediate transfer and accommodation on the mainland of 400 unaccompanied children and teenagers. The progressive pollical family stands ready to do all it can to help the refugees.”

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