Survival Supplies: What do refugees need?

(The following post has been contributed by Greekman. Thanks for the information shared!
Check his website at https://survivalcomms.wordpress.com/
-FerFAL)
The point of studying the needed items is that the refugee situation in Greece is very alike an earthquake –or any large scale disaster- leaving thousands of people helpless.
It also speaks of the Greek state organization and preparedness level, but this isanother subject.

check more images http://www.lifo.gr/now/greece/92341
Items requested by the NGOs and volunteers for the refugee camps
First of all there were many things needed for infants and kids:
Baby food, Diapers, Strollers, Baby bottles, Feeding Bottle Sterilizer, Toys and Balls, Baby Clothes and Shoes.
Hygiene items were also asked. No need to mention anything specific, they need everything, but of note was that some asked for empty soap dispensers.
Comment: That makes the point of being able to setup a number of faucets on a 6-foot length of pipeline.
Among what the refugees were assign for was to take a bath to feel decent.
In this video an older couple allowed them to take showers in their home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfRwyzAcYHY
The same need for everything applies to Shelter and Bedding items, and one-use eating utensils. Regarding Blankets the Ngo were providing them with one and told them to keep them for the duration of their travel.
Regarding food, some items that were usually required were:
Condensed/Evaporated Milk, Sugar & Crackers, Snacks, Tea, Raisins, Cookies, Rusks, Nuts, Honey, Jams, and Tomato Paste.
Comment: I guess their large supplies were of basic staple foods with not much of the rest, especially breakfast items.
Then there are some noteworthy items either often required or were unexpected to see.
Rain ponchos and Wood (related to the bad weather conditions during the winter/early spring)
Bananas (seems they are a very good nutrition supplement)
Cell Chargers and Extension cords.
Drawing and Coloring items and also Balloons (the kids were overjoyed with that humble toy)

The refugees also looked for free Wifi Access to connect home and browse for info.
Comment: While a lot of facebook pages and less often blogs were set up for the collection of items. I haven’t yet heard of any blog dedicated to the refugees needs and information.
I think it would be a good idea for a relief/volunteer team to prepare a blog ahead of time and fill it with info and links to reliable sources on the ground.
Lastly, and believe it or not, the refugees would benefit from some basic survival and bushcrafting instruction by knowledgeable people on the spot. Amassed on farm fields in Idomeni, their tents would get full of water when it rained since no one knew that they would have to make a draining ditch.
Medicines
Eye Drops
Nasal Decongestion Sprays
Throat lozenges
Bronchodilators (Albuterol)
Steri-Strips
Tongue Depressors
Syringes (5 & 10ml)
Betadine
Paracetamol (and Cold & Flu and Cold & Cough versions)
Natural Tears
Sterile Irrigating Solution
Vitamin A Supplements
Anti-Diarrheal Drugs
Antihistaminic Creams
Baby Rash creams (zinc-oxide)
Hydrocortisone Creams
NSAID Ointments
NSAIDs
Antiemetics (Anti vomit action)
Antacid Tablets
Urinary Infections Antibiotics
Antibiotic Impregnated Gauzes
Sunburn Treatment
Ferfal there were some more drugs that I cannot know what their type is called
Buscopan – Butylscopolamine
http://www.drugs.com/international/butylscopolamine.html
Bepanthen-Panthenol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panthenol
The medicine list is a good guide for those that want to keep a stock o emergency/disaster/preparedness medications at home.
…
Note from FerFAL:
Thanks Greekman. At the end of the day its people that have nothing and well, its pretty much the same thing everywhere. After years of studying disasters and unfortunately having seen more than enough first hand, I can say its not people that are different but it’s their circumstances that dictate certain differences. Other than that, everyone needs the same things.
For example, no matter where in the world disaster strikes leaving thousands with nothing, they are all looking for: A home, or at least a safe dry and warm place to rest. Clean clothes, diapers, food for adults, babies and children, toiletries, sanitation supplies, diapers, medicine. Then you have location specific items, like warm clothes for cold climates, sunscreen or mosquito repellent. Most of all, poor and displaced people have something in common: They are both looking for JOBS.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”.