Crete has become an increasingly important arrival point for people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa. In recent years, the number of people arriving on Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos has increased significantly, placing additional pressure on local authorities and limited reception facilities.
How We Work
Dråpen i Havet contributes to the humanitarian response on Crete through our distribution hub in Heraklion. From the warehouse, volunteers sort and quality-check donated clothing and other essential items, prepare distributions and organise supplies for delivery where they are most needed.
We distribute items including clothing, shoes, sleeping mats, bedding, hygiene products and emergency kits. When requested by local authorities or other partners, we also support specific distributions of mattresses and other essential items. The hub enables us to respond quickly when new arrivals and urgent needs arise, while providing a base for coordinating our work across the island.
You can read more about our distribution philosophy, methods, and principles here
Responding to changing needs
The situation on Crete can change quickly. New arrivals, weather conditions, reception capacity and available resources all influence where support is needed.
Our presence on the island allows us to work closely with local authorities, humanitarian organisations and other partners to identify needs and provide practical assistance where it can have the greatest impact.
While our work focuses on essential items, it is ultimately about more than distribution. It is about helping people who have just experienced a difficult and uncertain journey to feel safer, more comfortable and treated with dignity.
Volunteer with us on Crete
Volunteers are at the heart of our work on Crete. At our distribution hub in Heraklion, volunteers help sort and quality-check donations, organise and count items, prepare boxes and support distributions. Depending on current needs, volunteers may also assist with the distribution of mattresses and other essential items in collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian partners.
Whether you volunteer at the warehouse or take part in activities in the field, your time and contribution help us respond to the needs of people arriving on Crete.