Greece had received over 30,000 Ukrainian refugees by the end of May. Over 80 per cent are women and children. The numbers will continue to grow possibly for years, as Russia’s war of aggression grinds on.

As a response some in the Australian Greek community have pulled together to support the resettlement of these refugees in Greece.

A fundraising appeal has been established with key Greek community organisations with the support of Greek media.

All the funds raised will be directed to the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR). The GCR will provide essential support such as Greek language classes, skills training, and legal aid for the Ukrainian refugees. The GCR has also committed to training Ukrainian refugees to find jobs in the burgeoning Greek tourism sector.

The GCR is a non-government organisation, a charity, and a partner of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

In Australia a committee has been established to oversee the appeal. In it are the president of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, the president of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) Fotini Kypraios and the heads of two peak welfare organisations, PRONIA and Fronditha.

The appeal has the support of this paper, Neos Kosmos as well as the Greek Media Group.

“The Greek Community of Melbourne is proud to support this humanitarian cause,” Mr Papastergiadis OAM said.

The community has always come to the support of Greece in times of crisis said the president of the Community.

“Greece has welcomed thousands of people fleeing their destroyed homes and their burning homeland and it is important that we as Greek diaspora assist them in resettling in Greece,” Mr Papastergiadis OAM said.

He emphasised the importance of Greek language learning and said, “we have been teaching the Greek language through our schools and know how important it is to learn Greek for Ukrainian refugees, so they can make a new start in Greece”.

HACCI Board Chair, Fotini Kypraios, called on everyone in the Diaspora “to assist those fleeing the war in the Ukraine to gain the skills needed to participate in gainful employment, which will undoubtedly change their lives.”

“In March, the Greek government announced that it would enable 50,000 jobs to be created in the tourism sector for Greek and non-Greek refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.” Ms Kypraios added.

Mr Kypraios said that the fundraising effort was “integral to helping lead the Ukrainian refugees in Greece to a path of self-determination.”

The president of welfare organisation, PRONIA, Kris Pavlidis, focused on the agency’s historic “support for the settlement needs of migrants and refugees over the last 50 years.”

Jill Taylor the president of Fronditha, the Greek aged care provider, said that organisation’s values align with this fund-raising initiative.

“We are committed to supporting the GCR who have shown leadership in regard to the Ukrainian refugees, now settling in Greece,” Ms Taylor said.

Jenny Mikakos the chair of the appeal, and former Victorian Labor minister, is leading the charge.

“We have watched with horror everyday as the war in Ukraine unfolded and despaired at the plight of these people who have had their homes and cities destroyed,” Ms Mikakos said.

She drew on the experience of Greek post-war migrants arriving in Australia from the ashes of a war-torn Greece.

“Our parents experienced similar challenges of moving to a new country they didn’t speak English, so let us give the Ukrainian refugees a helping hand to a new peaceful life,” Ms Mikakos said.

The president of the GCR, Vasileios Papadopoulos said he “grateful to the Greeks in Australia” for recognising GCR’s work.

“We are giving real support and hope to the thousands of families arriving from Ukraine every week and we wish your appeal every success,” Mr Papadopoulos said.

Donations can be made at Bank of Sydney branches in Oakleigh and Northcote or to the following bank account:

Name: Ukrainian Refugees in Greece Appeal

BSB: 942-301

Account number: 1747013

or Email: refugees.in.greece.appeal@gmail.com