Greek islands faced with fresh wave of illegal migrants

Strengthened security measures along the Evros frontier with Turkey in northeastern Greece since the summer of 2011 have sparked a surge in attempts by illegal immigrants to sneak into the country through the porous coastlines of the country's islands. The migrants cross the sea border in boats and land wherever they can. Local authorities often fall short of providing facilities for these people. As a result, pregnant women and children have to sleep out in the street or beg for food. Meanwhile, the locals, most of whom are doing all they can to help the newcomers, say they have neither the courage nor the means to deal with the situation that has strained other areas of Greece over the years.
(07.01.2013) Kathimerini English Edition (by Costas Onishenko)
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