How You Can Help Greek Fire Victims

After destructive wildfires ravaged multiple areas in the Greek region of Attica, people both in Greece and around the world are offering various forms of assistance from financial aid to on-the-ground support.

To any of our readers looking to get involved, The Pappas Post has created a two-part guide providing information on how to help victims of the country’s latest national tragedy.

* Note: If you have information that can be added to this article, please email [email protected] *

Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) — HALC Wildfire Relief Campaign

• HALC has partnered with Chicago Sister Cities International – Athens Committee to raise funds that will benefit the Hellenic Red Cross and SOS Children’s Village in Greece as they work to save lives and rebuild devastated communities.

American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA) — 2018 AHEPA Greece Wild Fire Relief Fund

• The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) announced that it will donate $50,000 in humanitarian aid for wildfire victims by Friday as it continues to raise more funds.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) — IOCC Greece Greatest Needs Fund

• IOCC has partnered with Apostoli — Philanthropic Organization of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens — to provide basic needs for fire survivors. They will distribute prepaid grocery cards to affected families, allowing them to purchase essentials such as Greek-grown produce, dairy, and meat, as well as personal hygiene items, including soap and shampoo.

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) — Greece Wildfire Relief Fund

• THI is working with authorities on the ground and proven NGOs to provide humanitarian assistance. All funds raised will be used for this relief effort and THI will report back on all contributions and how they have been utilized in Greece.

Pedia Greek School of Melbourne, Australia — Fire Appeal for People in Greece

• The school will give donations to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Melbourne who will then transfer them to the local church in Greece near the most affected areas. Funds will be to help victims rebuild their homes and lives. The school will post updates and also provide evidence of the money transfer (receipts) after donations are collected and sent.

(2) For readers in Greece/able to volunteer

The information below is from Xpat Athens, an online community connecting English-speakers in the Greek capital with local information, resources, services, products and events. 

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The municipalities of Rafina and Pikermi currently need blood donations, sheets and towels, as well as volunteers to help sort donations, as food and water have been received in large amounts. Volunteers can contact the mayor’s office directly via phone: +30 229 432 1001 and +30 210 603 9550

Important Numbers

• General Help Line – call 108*
• Additional Line and missing persons reports – call 199
• Animal Help – +30 210 801 3302
• Medical Aid – For people who are diabetic and need the drugs Lantus or Novorapid, call +30 697 045 9926

Blood Donations

• Major hospitals in Athens and its surrounding areas are in need of blood. Please get in touch with a local hospital or the National Blood Donation Center (tel: +30 213 214 6700) for more information on how to donate blood.

Shelter Resources

• For expats who want to offer their home to victims, please click here.
• Airbnb is asking anyone with available housing in the area indicated on the map (in the link) to please consider making their home available. More information here.
• The stadium of Megara is open to those seeking shelter (tel: +30 229 608 1088).
• Free shelter and food in La Playa Marathon.
• Free shelter in Hotel Nireas in Nea Makri (tel: +30 229 409 1214).
• Shelter provided at the 1st and 2nd primary schools of Agioi Theodoroi.
• Shelter provided at the mayor’s office “Dimarheio” and Cultural Center of Pnevmatiko Kentro in Rafina.
• Shelter and help at the Kineta and Megara Retirement Centers.

Monetary Donations

The Municipality of the Rafina-Pikermi and Piraeus Bank have created the following bank account to support people in need:

• Bank name: Piraeus Bank
• Account number: 5186092291418
• International account number: GR20 0172 1860 0051 8609 2291 418
• Bank ID Code: PIRBGRAA

Hellenic Red Cross and Eurobank have also created a bank account to support victims:

• Bank name & branch number: Eurobank-Ergasias SA (0240)
• Bank address: Korai 7 & Panepistimiou 37, P.C. 10564, Athens, Greece
• Account number: 00260240310201181388
• International account number: GR64 0260 2400 0003 1020 1181 388
• Bank ID Code: ERBKGRAA

ANIMA — Association for the Protection and Welfare of Wildlife — is an Athens-based NGO that focuses on protecting and caring for wildlife by nursing and releasing injured wild animals. The association also focuses on forest protection and has organized various forest restoration efforts in the past. Currently, ANIMA is collecting donations in order to buy specialized animal medicines that it orders from abroad. Donations can be made to the following bank accounts:

• (1) Bank name: Eurobank
• Account number: 00260052210101152035
• International account number: GR46 0260 0520 0002 101 0115 2035
• Bank ID Code: ERBKGRA

• (2) Bank name: Piraeus Bank
• Account number: 5037055201578
• International account number: GR79 0172 0370 0050 3705 5201 578
• Bank ID Code: PIRBGRAA

If you need supplies…

• The central Sklavenitis supermarket in Rafina is providing food/water.
• In the center of Pikermi, the Grigoris and Everest coffee shops are providing food/water.
• The cultural center of Nea Makri is providing food/water and first aid.
• Food and water collection is taking place in Nea Makri — Avenue Marathon 104

Resources for Pet and Animal Help

• ANIMA — Association for the Protection and Welfare of Wildlife, contact information:
  • tel: +30 210 951 0075 / email: [email protected] / Facebook page
• People in Kineta may bring animals to the courtyard of the Agioi Theodoroi church.
• In case of stray animals near any fire affected areas, please collect them and call +30 697 566 4142 to ask for further information.

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