Thousands of migrants stuck at Greece-Macedonia border

Thousands of migrants have been stuck at the Greek border with Macedonia due to a daily limit on refugee arrivals.

On Saturday, tensions arose in the Idomeni camp in Greece as the migrants became frustrated for being stuck at the border for days hoping to continue their journey to Europe.

The migrants, many of them from war-torn Syria and Iraq have overcrowded the camp after Macedonia announced they will restrict the number of daily arrivals to no more than 600. These tight regulations have left thousands stranded.

“Some people are here 10 days ago, and its very cold, and very difficult, they sleep on the floor, without covering, without food, children cough, children are sick,” said one migrant.

Another migrant said, “We cannot stay here and do nothing, last night I slept outside and no water, many families I see sleep without tents, and they tell us today they will bring tents, and no tents, no tents for all.”

The situation led to hundreds of migrants rally at the border demanding that authorities should let them in. Despite their cries they were not permitted to cross the border.

The state of migrants in the camp is becoming increasingly difficult as the camp which only accommodates 2500 people now houses over 6000.

As a result, the United Nations refugee agency has now warned that humanitarian challenges of the migrants are rising due to the growing population.

“The population here is growing and so are the needs of the people that remain here. This site is not made for a long stay, it was made to cover basic, dignified conditions for people that wait here. So as you understand the needs are growing and the challenges become bigger and bigger for everyone here,” UNHCR spokesperson, Stella Nanou said.

This is Europe’s worst refugee crisis since the second world war.