By the Numbers

Quantifying the human condition does nothing to empathize with the pain, but I have chosen to use numbers to demonstrate the enormity of the displaced persons situation occurring in the world.

65 million:  The number of refugees in the world right now.  Reportedly, more than any time since World War II

2,200:  The number of refugees being housed in Moria prison/camp on the south east corner of Lesvos.

60%:  The number of men in Moria camp.  I would love to know how many of those are single and between the ages of 14 and 30.

40%:  The number of women and children presently living in Moria.

90:  The number of days it takes to get papers granting an interview in Athens.  If one is Syrian.

20:  My estimate of the number of different language groups living in Moria.  I guarantee my estimate is low.

2:  The number of days it takes refugees to walk from the Skala camp to the Moria camp.

3 million:  More than this number, according to Amnesty International, await the opportunity to leave Turkey.

6 miles/10 Kilometers:  The distance from Turkey to Lesvos at their closest.

2 hours:  Time it takes to manuever the rafts across the Aegean, if weather is good.

1:  Number of times Smitty got to use his fix-it skills in Moria.

255:  Number of hours we spent on Lesvos.

160:  Number of hours we spent working in either Skala or Moria camps.

Incalculable:  Number of heartbreaking stories of desperation and loss by refugees.

This recounting is based on my time in Lesvos,  my perception, with a few facts gained in the process of being there.  Many have blogged, made videos, written editorials.  The only way to know for sure is to go.