Source: Oxford Mail
Oxford, December 1, 2016
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Stories of refugees who fled violence and were then beaten, blackmailed and robbed by people smugglers have been shared with church goers.
Serbian aid worker Marija Vransevic spoke of her experiences during a visit to Wesley Memorial Church in Oxford.
The aid worker's visit on Sunday came as Christian Aid launched its annual Christmas Appeal, which this year is urging people to help Light The Way for millions of people fleeing conflict and violence.
Ms Vransevic, 41, from Belgrade, is programme manager for Christian Aid’s partner organisation Philanthropy, the charitable wing of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Philanthropy is providing food and shelter on the Serbian-Macedonia border for refugees escaping conflict-affected countries, including Syria and Iraq.
Organisations, including Philanthropy, have been helping 1,000 people a day in Belgrade, offering food and clothing.
Photo: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/
Ms Vransevic, who has been has been giving talks across the South East, said: "With the closure of borders, desperate people are being forced into making desperate decisions and more smuggler routes have opened up.
"The needs of refugees have not gone away, even though we no longer hear about the issue in the same way anymore.
"Now when refugees arrive in Serbia they are exhausted and many are ill.
"Sometimes a couple of hundred people arrive a day, sometimes only a handful - many have experienced various types of abuse by smugglers.
"Thanks to supporters we are able to provide warm accommodation, daily hot meals, and hygiene kits, as well as psycho-social support for unaccompanied minors."
Ms Vransevic said there were about 6,000 people living in refugee camps in Serbia.
She added: "There are also thousands of people hiding under bridges and in disused train wagons who need a lot of support."
Christian Aid is appealing to people to support the Light the Way campaign, so that it can continue to provide support for people who have been left homeless.
The charity's regional coordinator for Oxford, Anwen Holmes, said: "Many of the children Christian Aid will support with the funds from this appeal have little else but violence and chaos since they were born.
"I was delighted to welcome Marija, who, through her work, holds out the hand of friendship to those who have seen the worst that humanity has to offer.
"I am proud, too, of the churches of Oxfordshire who are supporting us to offer a guiding light of kindness to those walking in darkness."
To donate to the appeal visit christianaid.org.uk/Christmas
