Glossary of abbreviations used

 

AGCC - the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council - established in 1981 to promote cooperation in trade, defense, culture, and social policy. The member states are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which comprises of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and four lesser known Emirates - each with their own ruler. These are the wealthy Arab Gulf States

AIS - Automated Information System - send and receive equipment used on commercial ships and pleasure craft to show the vessels name, location, speed and course

ASPEN - Asylum Support Enablement Card - a debit card issued by the UK Home Office to registered asylum seekers

BRF - the Boat Refugee Foundation - a Dutch medical NGO 

BWC - Because We Carry - a Dutch NGO supporting pregnant women and young mothers

CCAC - Closed Controlled Access Centre - a refugee camp designed like an open prison, usually built well away from towns 

ECHR - European Court of Human Rights - established in the aftermath of the Second World War and the Holocaust by Winston Churchill and other allied leaders

EU - European Union

GMT - Greek Maybe Time - give or take an hour

HMO - House in Multiple Occupation - typically a house or flat used as accommodation for unrelated individuals

ISIS - the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria aka Daesh - a militant jihadist group that claims to be a caliphate or Muslim ruler of both countries. ISIS is proscribed by the UN and most western countries as a terrorist organisation

LDS - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormon church in Utah

MAT - The Monades Apokatastasis Taksis - also known as The Units for the Reinstatement of Order or Riot Police

MotG - Movement on the Ground - a Dutch NGO

MSF - Medecins Sans Frontiers - probably the best known international NGO providing medical assistance in crisis situations worldwide

NFI - Non Food Items - basic hygiene products

NGO - Non Governmental Organisation - usually a non profit organisation or charity

OHF - One Happy Family - Swiss NGO

OSB - Oriented Strand Board - a type of chipboard used for temporary buildings everywhere in and around the camps

RIC - Reception and Identification Centre - refugee camp

R4R - Refugee4Refugees NGO in Moria village set up by Syrian refugee Omar Alshakal

SV - Samos Volunteers - a NGO working on the island of Samos - originally registered in Catalonia Spain 

TLP - The Lava Project - a Greek registered NGO running a medical laundry supporting Moria camp - established by the author in 2019

UN - United Nations

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees aka the United Nations Refugee Agency