A CO Antrim charity worker has called for politicians' help to set up feeding stations in Greece for refugees.
Aidan Crawford said "we need our politicians to stand up and listen to us, to listen to the refugees" after he witnessed heartbreaking scenes during a 10-day trip to Athens, Lesbos and Kos.
The Ballymena man described how desperate mothers offered their children to charity volunteers because they were unable to feed them.
They also watched refugees arrive on small, over-packed dinghies following perilous journeys, only to find they had another six-hour trek to a camp at the top of a mountain.
The St Vincent de Paul regional manager is calling for politicians in Northern Ireland to help it finance feeding stations in Greece.
He said they could be set up along mountain roads towards the refugee camps.
Mr Crawford and 10 colleagues travelled to several camps to distribute supplies contained in four 40ft lorries that the organisation had gathered at home.
"To see what these people go through is heartbreaking," he said.
"One night we witnessed 15 dinghies coming in, which were packed and had lots of youngsters on board.
"We helped lift them off the dinghies and get the children dry clothes.
"But when they get off these death-trap dingies, they have to walk for five to six hours up very steep mountains carrying their children.
"These people are totally exhausted. We did start to ferry people up these mountains, but we were told this was people trafficking.
"People are sleeping in hedges, on footpaths, there's mothers asking for baby milk and pleading with us to take their children, not because they aren't good parents but because they can't feed their children.
"Then when they get to these camps and there's no room for them, there's not enough supplies or volunteers to help them, their hopes are dashed."
Mr Crawford said more has to be done to help refugees, who he said "are a threat to no-one".
"So much more could be done by the UN to supply large marquees so we could set up feeding stations," he said.
"Feeding stations are set up during marathons where people can stop and get supplies, we think this should be done for refugees going to the camps.
"It's time for action from our politicians. We need our politicians to stand up and listen to us, to listen to the refugees.
"In all the camps we were in we saw no support from any government agencies - if it was not for volunteers then help would be zero.
"We could set up our own camp and feeding stations along the mountain roads, but we need help financially.
"We have to find a way of giving these people their dignity and respect back."
