Since April 2017, we have supported refugees in their desperate journey towards Europe. We are at the forefront of this humanitarian crisis, based on the shores of Lesvos, Greece. Refugee4Refugee founder Omar Alshakal sought to create a non-political organisation that addresses the needs and concerns of refugees, while also encouraging fellow asylum seekers to get involved and take the lead in relief efforts. Omar came as a Syrian refugee to Greece and brings a unique perspective as someone who arrived in Europe in 2014, after swimming for 14 hours from Turkey to Greece. He has seen the weaknesses of the asylum process first hand. Omar started the charity to tackle these challenges head on. As a former lifeguard, he saw an opportunity to improve boat spotting and landing support. And from that moment R4R was born, a grassroots NGO with many activities on the island of Lesvos. R4R is currently involved in various projects involving camp-based refugee communities, such as running swimming lessons for refugees, delivering ice to their tents/houses in the summer months, ensuring safe passage for refugees across traffic-heavy areas surrounding the camps and cleaning the southern shores of Lesvos. Above all, R4R is dedicated to being flexible to best meet the needs of refugees on the island.
