Previous governments already drew heavily on the development aid budget, including, by using this budget intended for aid in countries in the South, for the reception of people seeking asylum in the Netherlands. Immigration reduction will be a major theme from now on, the minister announced, including, through investments and ‘deals’ with countries bordering Europe through which people fleeing travel on their way to Europe.

Earlier, in November 2024, Dutch organisations which distribute much of the aid budget to development and humanitarian initiatives worldwide, were told that they will lose most of their government contribution by 2026. What was long seen as a collective responsibility is rapidly being removed from the political agenda. Increasingly, aid initiatives, both in the Netherlands and Europe and in the South, will have to rely on the solidarity of individuals and companies. From people who feel the responsibility to contribute to protecting the lives and rights of those less fortunate.

As a small humanitarian organisation working at the borders of Europe, we have never received government funding. As Boat Refugee Foundation, we feel blessed to have a loyal constituency of private donors, churches and foundations over the years. This takes constant effort and raising the necessary funds every year is far from easy, but it makes us less vulnerable to sudden government policy changes. This constituency of supporters is becoming increasingly essential. With increasingly restrictive asylum and migration policies, and increasingly problematic reception conditions, located further and further away, out of sight, support from humanitarian organisations becomes necessary in more and more locations.

We continue to provide care in the refugee camp on Lesvos. There, we continue to see around 70 patients a night. We ensure that people who need acute help are helped in hospital and refer patients who need other forms of specialized care, like psychiatric care. The latter is becoming increasingly difficult: there is now only one organisation left that offers psychiatric help.

Cooperation with the organisations that do still operate on the island is increasingly important. Our doctors do ‘scar mapping’ and our psychologists, at the request of partner organisations assisting people in their asylum procedure, write reports following psychological assessments. Such documentation is of great importance. We examine how we can jointly deploy the supply of care and support in the best possible way.

We are grateful for your support that makes this essential help possible. This year, Boat Refugee Foundation has its tenth anniversary. It has been ten years since the start of the crisis in 2015: hundreds of thousands of people on the move reaching Greece, and a complete lack of capacity to receive and support them. Ten years after the founders of Boat Refugee Foundation, and many others, rushed to the Greek islands to offer help. None of the people involved at the time would have thought this would still be needed 10 years later.

Our tenth anniversary is not something to celebrate, quite the contrary. It is, however, a momentum to reflect on. On the need, which is still there. A moment to look back. To thank everyone. The many volunteers who committed themselves, selflessly. Our donors who continued to contribute. All the funds that supported us over time. Our supporters: everyone who organised actions, did research, wrote pieces, activated their personal networks. A moment to look ahead together. Because moving forward, we need all of you.

Developments in the world give little reason to hope that our work will soon no longer be needed. We remain committed to making change happen. Just policies, humane reception conditions and fair asylum procedures. Meanwhile, we continue to provide the help that is needed – on Lesvos, and later this year in other locations.

To provide healthcare the support that is needed, funding continues to be needed. Through the efforts of our volunteer professionals and by being frugal with every euro we receive, we keep costs as low as possible. But necessary expenses remain. Medication and medical equipment, transport to the hospital, the coordinators who provide continuity and guidance to the ever-changing group of volunteers, accommodation for the volunteers. Your support remains necessary, and increasingly so. Because only together do we make a difference.

Contribute to essential healthcare support via this link 🙏.