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GARDERMOEN (VG) Greece has asked Norway for help. A Norwegian team of 22 people will be sent to Moria on Monday to help.
The Norwegian team consists of 17 doctors and nurses, including pediatricians, midwives and gynecologists, as well as five people who will be in charge of security, logistics and information.
They must bring medical equipment equivalent to 40 pallets, being able to attend up to 100 patients a day.
The medical director is Johnny Aslaksen, who works daily in the Civil Defense in Hordaland. Earlier this year, he, along with several others on the team, was in northern Italy to help the country during the crown crisis.
Read also: The field notes of the Norwegian team from Italy.
The team is EU certified and is a collaboration between the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) and the Norwegian Directorate for Health.
– We have good professional conditions and we are well trained, said medical manager Aslaksen during a press conference on Monday.
He claims the team mobilized on Friday and has spent the weekend training on infection control, heart rate planning and preventative measures.
The team will be in Greece for up to four weeks.
IN GARDERMOEN: The Norwegian team meets with the press together with the Minister of Children and Families Kjell Ingolf Ropstad (KrF). Photo: HELGE MIKALSEN
– Rest when we get home
– What have you prepared for?
– We don’t know exactly what to expect. We know this is a difficult situation, says Bjarte Askeland, senior medical advisor at Haukeland Hospital.
It underlines that the Greek authorities are doing everything possible to establish a new camp for the refugees who have now lost their homes.
Askeland says they are not sure if covid-19 will be the main problem.
– Are you worried about the riots now?
– The host nation, Greece, ensures our safety and security, but we don’t always have the opportunity to influence the environment, says medical manager Aslaksen.
He emphasizes that they feel confident that everything possible is being done to make us feel safe there.
– We go out in special conditions, we work as long as the job is needed. Then we rest when we get home, he says.
State of emergency
Roughly 13,000 migrants and asylum seekers have been housed in the Morial camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, after Europe closed its borders to the country. Coronavirus was detected in the tenant last week. A little later, violent fires broke out in the tenant, which is now in ruins.
Thousands of migrants have sought refuge, among other places, in ditches.
The Greek authorities had previously declared a four-month state of emergency on the island, following escalating conflict between asylum seekers and the rest of the population.
Background: This is what the Moria camp looks like after the great fire
IN NORTH ITALY: Team leader Johnny Aslaksen (left) and medical leader Guttorm Brattebø in northern Italy in April this year. Photo: André Liohn
Quick Decision
Last week, the Norwegian government decided to send a team to contribute after the Morial camp fire, the day after receiving a request for assistance from the Greek authorities the day before.
The equipment is the same that was used in northern Italy this spring and during the Ebola outbreak in Congo last year. They have great knowledge to help in crisis situations and are always waiting. All 25 come from hospitals across the country.
Initially, the Norwegian team was asked to help for two weeks.
The ultimate responsibility of the disaster response team rests with the Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB).
It is currently unclear how much it will cost to ship the equipment.
TO MORIA: 22 people from the Norwegian team travel to Moria on Monday. They meet the press in Gardermoen together with the Minister of Children and Families Kjell Ingolf Ropstad. Photo: HELGE MIKALSEN
Intense conflicts
In response to the chaotic situation on the island, Greek authorities have deployed rebel police from the Greek mainland to prevent migrants from entering the city of Mytilene. This happens after the locals and the authorities rebelled against the rebuilding of the Moria camp.
At the same time, the Greek authorities have used helicopters to transport what is needed to rebuild the camp. In another part of the island, a boat was ordered to house 1,000 migrants. So far it is not in operation.
Norway has decided to remove 50 children from Moria. There are criticisms of the decision from various sectors. Many believe that the number of asylum seekers is too low.
– Why does Norway not consider more than 50?
– We have said that we will remove 50, we will carry it out as soon as possible. Then we said that we will collect 3,000 refugees in total. We know that there are millions of people on the run and it is a terrible situation above average.
– When do you decide who from Moria will be allowed to come to Norway?
– The government has said that we will pick up Syrian families with children. We know that there are more people who do not have the right to a residence permit, so we select the people with the greatest need for protection who are likely to receive a residence permit in Norway.
Ropstad says it is too early to say when they will have a chance to bring the 50 refugees from Mora.
Former Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk is one of those who have argued that Norway should accept more than 50 refugees from Greece.
