Blog: Elise on the edges of civilization

Elise Kant (1965) has been the director of the Haella Foundation since 2019. After working in war zones in previous roles, she has become closely involved with the situation of refugees on the fringes of Europe. “What we see there is that, as Europe, we have abandoned civilization and are detaining people in a dehumanized system.” That is why this blog is called: Elise on the Edges of Civilization.

Her profile can be viewed on LinkedIn.

The Haella Foundation has a special focus on this issue and works to raise awareness among donors and individuals, hoping to increase engagement with the cause.

At the moment, Elise is in Lesbos, temporarily volunteering for Fenix in advocacy and wherever extra hands are needed.

She maintains a blog about the situation in Greece, with a particular focus on Lesbos.

refugee camp
1 February 2025 / Human Rights, Refugee Advocacy

The Dehumanization of Refugees at Europe’s Borders

You can only implement this policy by dehumanizing people.” In a single sentence, Aron encapsulates the reality—not only of the...
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gelukszoeker
29 January 2025 / Field Experiences

Beauty, Earthquakes, and the Shadow of the Refugee Camp

When people hear “Lesbos,” various associations come to mind: a beautiful vacation island, a vast refugee camp, or the home...
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We have a dedicated bank account for private donations:

You can transfer your donation to:

Bank name: ABN AMRO Bank
IBAN: NL40 ABNA 0138 9831 86
BIC: ABNANL2AXXX
Account holder: Haella Stichting
Reference: General donation or Donation – Borders of Europe

Background

Humanitarian Abuses at Europe’s Borders

Encounters with aid workers at the outer borders of Europe.
Haella Foundation, field visit to Lesbos, Athens, and Thessaloniki – April 2024

Download the report (in Dutch): 2024-Haella-Griekenland.pdf