About
In the Greek island of Lesvos, there is a field nestled amongst olive groves where hundreds of graves serve as resting place to refugees who have lost their lives at sea and on the island since 2015.
As a humanitarian organisation, we believe that everyone has the right to a dignified burial. We believe that this right should be respected in every context including when people have migrated escaping violence, war,natural disasters, and starvation.
Campaign aims
In January 2022 we made a proposal to the municipality of Mytilene for the restoration of the refugee burial ground. In 2023 we started the project and launched the fundraiser campaign with the following aims:
01.
To create a respectful and dignified resting place, non- intrusive to locals, where refugees and asylum seekers can meet that most sacred of human needs that is the mourning of our loved ones.
02.
To pay homage to the thousands upon thousands of people whose lives, dreams, and hopes ended abruptly while trying to get to safety in Europe.
03.
To protect the refugees’ basic human right to be treated with respect and dignity which is stipulated by European legislation and which lies at the core of international human rights law.
Implementation of the project
01.
Clearing up the space of bushes and vegetation over-growth.
02.
Clearly outlining each of the graves and placing a headstone on each of them with the name and details of the deceased, when known.
03.
Designing the architectural landscape of the site, in consultation with the municipality.
04.
Carrying out the landscaping including the clear demarcation of all graves, walk paths, fences, and a memorial stone.
Work in progress
After long negotiations, the proposal made by Earth Medicine was accepted by the local authorities. Now we are raising funds to enable us to keep working and to implement the full project. You can follow the progress on our blog:
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can donate visiting our fundraiser page on WhyDonate or filling the form bellow:
Support US
Visit our fundraiser campaign page on Whydonate and helpe us to create a respectful and dignified resting place where refugees and asylum seekers can meet that most sacred of human needs that is the mourning of our loved ones.
Memorial to Humanity on the media
Contact
Earth Medicine
Papadiamantis 23, Mytilini.
Lesvos. Greece.
811 00