People around Greece are turning to social media to offer help and show solidarity with thousands of victims after deadly wildfires on Monday that killed at least 80 in eastern Attica.
As dozens remain unaccounted for, Greek citizens have uploaded pictures of more than 30 people reported to be missing.
Businesses are handing out free food and water to victims and first responders while average citizens are opening their homes to people left homeless.
Coffee shops such Everest and Gregory are offering free refreshments and large grocery stores are making water and ice available to people in need.
Likewise, Athens-based organizations launched donation drives on Tuesday to gather emergency supplies from around the Greek capital.
Kathimerini reports that the Hellenic Center for Disease Prevention and Control partnered with government officials from the Rafina area to collect basic medical necessities including gauze, iodine, antiseptic creams, diapers, baby wipes and non-perishable foods.
Officials in local municipalities outside of Athens have also taken action.
In Marathon, to the northeast, officials are collecting bottled water, food and other supplies, while the mayor of Megara in western Atttica is inviting people in need to take shelter in the town’s community centers.
In order to provide additional housing, the online rental platform Airbnb announced Tuesday that it is allowing hosts in the area to open their homes for free both to fire victims and relief workers.
Since 2012, the company has provided such emergency housing through its community-driven Open Homes project, an initiative that allows hosts in disaster-stricken places to offer free accommodation.
Solidarity with the victims in Attica has come from all over Greece, as the Thessaloniki-based soccer team PAOK pledged Tuesday to donate 100 percent of ticket sales from its recent Champions League match to families affected by the wildfires.
The club made the announcement via Twitter, stating the following (translated from Greek):
“As a first aid action, PAOK FC will grant all the proceeds of today’s match to repair damage and alleviate families affected by the tragedy of Attica. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and in ways of further assistance.”
Ως πρώτη ενέργεια βοήθειας η ΠΑΕ ΠΑΟΚ θα παραχωρήσει όλα τα έσοδα του σημερινού αγώνα προς αποκατάσταση ζημιών και ανακούφιση των οικογενειών που έχουν πληγεί από την τραγωδία της Αττικής. Η σκέψη μας είναι στις οικογένειες των θυμάτων και σε τρόπους περαιτέρω βοήθειας pic.twitter.com/YvmLMThbCJ
— PAOK FC / ΠAOK (@PAOK_FC) July 24, 2018
In addition to national efforts, Greece has received varying amounts of assistance from multiple European countries such as Cyprus, Italy, Germany, Poland, France, Spain and Turkey in the form of planes, vehicles and firefighters.
Cyprus also announced a 10-million euro ($11.7 million) aid package for the Greek government after a cabinet meeting Wednesday, according to the Cyprus-News Agency.
The island nation’s president Nicos Anastasiades promptly tweeted a message of solidarity (translated from Greek) with his Mediterranean neighbors following the meeting:
“Faced with the massive destruction caused by the fires in Attica, we express deep sorrow and condolences for the dead, hope for finding people who are still missing and wishes for the recovery of the wounded.”
Mπροστά στην τεραστίων διαστάσεων καταστροφή που προκάλεσαν οι πυρκαγιές στην Αττική, εκφράζουμε βαθύτατη θλίψη και συλλυπητήρια για τους νεκρούς, ελπίδα για την ανεύρεση προσώπων που ακόμα αγνοούνται και ευχές για την αποθεραπεία των τραυματιών. pic.twitter.com/eFmwjI8xDz
— Nicos Anastasiades (@AnastasiadesCY) July 25, 2018
The United States has also offered aid in the form of unmanned drones — a request made by the Greek government in order to investigate the cause of the fires.
Spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told the Agence France-Presse news agency Tuesday that the drones are being used to “observe and detect any suspicious activity” in affected areas within the Attica region.
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