Eida is one step closer to her own family, who are now in Germany, after they left Syria five and a half years ago. The war was entering its second year but a defiant Eida had been unwilling to leave then.
Speaking to CNN from Germany, her grandson Samir says: "We are waiting desperately for the day we are reunited."
When
we meet Eida she is getting ready for the next stop: Athens. Slowly she
hobbles into the port with purpose. With hunched shoulders, her eyes
dart around looking for the nearest place to rest as Ahmed presents
their documentation for departure.
Once the group reaches Athens, Eida hopes to be granted asylum in Germany under the EU's family reunification program and sent to her family.
Giorgos
Kosmopoulos, a researcher on refugee rights for Amnesty International
says as shocking as Eida's story is, she at least has options.
"In some way she's lucky," he says. "She has the opportunity to move on
to mainland Greece and possibly rejoin her family in Germany."
He
adds that for many others, without family already in Europe, the island
is basically an "open prison" where refugees wait "months on end" in
"appalling reception conditions."
With passport in hand, Eida asks Ahmed
why they cannot board the vessel. He tries to explain but doesn't know
how. The look in his eyes conveys the reality of the situation and Eida
disappointingly shakes her head.
"Where is the humanity? There is no humanity," Ahmed says.
There
is little choice but to leave -- the ferry has departed. A local NGO
comes to the rescue when the family realizes they have nowhere to go
next, offering them a warm place to sleep in a privately-operated
refugee camp.
Giorgos
Kosmopoulos, a researcher on refugee rights for Amnesty International
says as shocking as Eida's story is, she at least has options.
"In some way she's lucky," he says. "She has the opportunity to move on
to mainland Greece and possibly rejoin her family in Germany."
He
adds that for many others, without family already in Europe, the island
is basically an "open prison" where refugees wait "months on end" in
"appalling reception conditions."
With passport in hand, Eida asks Ahmed
why they cannot board the vessel. He tries to explain but doesn't know
how. The look in his eyes conveys the reality of the situation and Eida
disappointingly shakes her head.
"Where is the humanity? There is no humanity," Ahmed says.
There
is little choice but to leave -- the ferry has departed. A local NGO
comes to the rescue when the family realizes they have nowhere to go
next, offering them a warm place to sleep in a privately-operated
refugee camp.
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