Hundreds of thousands of people have signed online petitions to give this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to… islanders and fishermen. Yes, you read correctly as these Greek locals are seen as heroes to the 900,000 refugees (mostly from Syria and Iraq) who entered Europe last year.
Traveling on rickety boats, the refugees arrived to the Greek islands soaked and scared. Eminent scholars are drafting a submission to give the award to the Greek fisherman and islanders who helped rescue people from the sea, and give them shelter and comfort on land.
According to the petition: “On remote Greek islands, grandmothers have sung terrified little babies to sleep, while teachers, pensioners and students have spent months offering food, shelter, clothing and comfort to refugees who have risked their lives to flee war and terror.”
The volunteer networks provided the refugees temporary accommodation, food, dry clothes, hygiene kits, and help with the next leg on their journey. “By opening their hearts the islanders sent a powerful message that humanity is above races, above nations,” says activist and humanitarian Spyro Limneos.
