Utah County man talks about experience aiding Syrian refugees


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PROVO — As the Syrian refugee crisis stirs political controversy here in the United States, many volunteers from around the world, and Utah, are working to help the thousands of Syrians as they arrive in neighboring countries.

Among those volunteers is a Utah County man who is spending Thanksgiving back home after assisting Syrian refugees in dire need in Greece.

"I was always trying to find the most desperate and help them first," said Adam Paul Steed of Provo, who spent the last six weeks in the middle of this humanitarian crisis.

He hopes fear of terrorism and ISIS won't prevent the refugees from finding peace and permanent homes in Europe and the United States.

"Nobody is as scared of what happened in Paris as the women and children that I was helping," he said.

Boats filled with Syrian refugees keep landing on the shores of Lesvos, Greece. Steed was there with other volunteers helping the boats make it to shore after fleeing their homeland. The experience, he said, opened his eyes about who the refugees are and what they need.

"Sixty boats will show up with people who haven't had food for a couple of days," said the volunteer.

There's tension and chaos on the island as the Greeks try to help the Syrians, and still keep some order. But, Steed said, there's plenty of compassion, too.

Steed helped feed the hungry, comfort the very young and even give basic medical aid.

"Sorting through thousands of people who were stranded without food, and were soaking wet to find the most vulnerable ones to treat them on the spot," he said.

Utah County man talks about experience aiding Syrian refugees

Steed volunteered with his sister and father with a British group, called Mercy Worldwide. As the Syrians arrived by boat on the Greek island of Lesvos, they helped register the refugees. From there, the refugees were sent to Athens and then on to destinations in Europe.

Before he got there, Steed had a mental image of what refugees would be like. That changed once he was in the midst of the crisis.

"Up close it was completely different," he said. "I had no idea how many women and children would be there."

He said pregnant women lost their babies because of the strain of the journey. Many refugees did not make it at all.

"I was shocked at how highly educated they were and how many people spoke English," he said. He met surgeons, attorneys and people from every walk of life as they landing in Greece, muddy and soaking wet. He became friends with many of the refugees he helped and tries to stay in touch with them as they resettle into new homes.

"I look forward to years and years of a good future looking into these people's lives and making sure that they are well-established and well received," he said.

Steed got back home earlier this week, but plans to go back and help more when he can.

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Jed Boal

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