With Greece experiencing an aggressive second wave of COVID-19 as winter starts to bite, The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THIA) has launched its Winter Appeal for Greece to buy basic necessities for the most vulnerable people in Greece – “the homeless, rough sleepers, destitute families and elderly people isolated in their homes.”
The organisation added that the second lockdown in Greece because of the rise of COVID-19 numbers would also affect families that were struggling to cover payments for essential utilities, such as water during the onset of winter.
THIA said that because of COVID-19 it had to pause its annual fundraising events over 2020.
“COVID-19 has created new challenges for vulnerable communities in Greece. Let us unite and offer support to Greece this winter,” said Andrew N Liveris AO, the Global Chairman of The Hellenic Initiative.
The THIA said on its website that: “While we can’t come together in person to celebrate our community spirit, we are more determined than ever to continue helping our trusted partner charities in Greece as they face added challenges caused by the spread of the virus in vulnerable communities.”
READ MORE: The Hellenic Initiative grants an additional $35,000 to aid Greek homeless support services
One of the organisations that receives the support of The Hellenic Initiative is the Emfasis Foundation whose social street network and outreach programs help the homeless and vulnerable socially-excluded groups in the Athens and Piraeus areas.
Emfasis helps people to re-establish themselves in the community by helping them to access social insurance benefits, apply for their identity cards, accompany them them to medical appointments and other support services.
The organisation also conducts detailed demographic mapping of underprivileged areas where homeless and vulnerable groups are living rough so that it can more accurately meet their needs.
The Hellenic Initiative Australia has supported the running of a Mobile Support Unit that allows Emfasis to expand its outreach services and support more than 1,300 homeless people and rough sleepers in Athens and Piraeus.
♦ To find out more about Winter Appeal for Greece and to make a donation (which is tax-deductible), follow the The Hellenic Initiative Australia link.
READ MORE: Mikis Theodorakis’ daughter, Margarita, says “there is no food or hot water” in their house