U.S. experts in Greece to assist in fires crisis

A group of six experts in fighting forest fires and dealing with natural disasters from the United States arrived in Greece on Monday to assist Greek authorities in dealing with the fires crisis and its aftermath, the U.S. Embassy announced.

Among them is the US Forest Service's top fire-fighter and disaster-relief specialists from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The U.S. has also shipped another 250,000 dollars in relief supplies to the Greek Red Cross, which brings the total U.S. government assistance to Greece up to 1.5 million dollars to date.

The purpose of the experts' visit, as agreement with the Greek government, is to provide immediate technical assistance and support to Greece's current response to the catastrophic fires, with particular attention to fire management and rehabilitation of burned landscapes, as well as emergency management systems.

The team will visit the areas where Greek fire and recovery operations are currently underway, and observe operations staff at command locations. Based on its findings, the U.S. Forest Service will propose a longer-term capacity building and technical support program to the government of Greece.

U.S. Navy twice assists Greek firefighters

Twice this summer, the Governor's Office of Chania, asked for U.S. Navy assistance to extinguish brush fires in western Crete, on July 30 and August 23. On both occasions, American firefighters successfully battled flames alongside Greek firefighters.

According to a press release issued on Monday by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, on August 23, around Lakki, Crete, a team of six civilian American firefighters and two U.S. Navy sailors worked with a large number of local Greek fire departments, including a contingent of Hellenic Navy firefighters.

“The fire was approximately 2,000 acres and was threatening to get into the village,” said Todd McKinzie, captain of Souda Bay Emergency Services. In addition to two American emergency vehicles, there were about 30 other fire engines from all over Crete battling the flames around Lakki.

The American civilian and military firefighting team helped contain this brush fire throughout the night, and returned to the U.S. Navy base the next morning. "As firefighters, that's what we're here for,” said McKinzie, “to help prevent loss of life and property.”

Greek diaspora donates 1.2 bln dollars in aid for wildfire-affected regions

The Greek diaspora all over the world have sped to contribute in financial aid to the fire-ravaged regions of Greece.

Through the mobilization of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), more than 1,200,000 dollars have been collected, until now, worldwide in support of the fire-affected inhabitants of the Peloponnese and the island of Evia in central Greece.

The Greek Australians donated 755,000 dollars.

Greek Canadians donated 200,000 dollars and the SAE countries of the former Soviet Union 200,000 euros.

Information gathered from:
http://www.hellenicnews.com/...

Greek American Wave of Solidarity

Posted by greek_news

New York.- Shaken by news of wildfires tearing through parts of their ancestral home, Greek-Americans around the country are extending a helping hand gathering money and supplies to aid victims in their motherland. Major Greek American organizations including Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, AHEPA, the Council for Hellenes Abroad and the Hellenic-American National Council have opened bank accounts to raise money for relief aid.

In response to the catastrophic fires plaguing Greece, Archbishop Demetrios, convened an emergency meeting of key advisors and staff members to mobilize the resources of the Archdiocese and greater community to respond to the tremendous needs of the people of this devastated nation. It was agreed that His Eminence would appoint a Special Committee of prominent Greek Americans who will oversee and coordinate the collection and distribution of monies raised by the Archdiocese through Her Greek Fire Relief Fund.

“We are witnessing unbelievable losses of lives and property but also of the livelihoods of countless individuals who will need assistance for many years to recover from this calamity” stated the Archbishop. “Greece, the birthplace of democracy, the place where the Olympics Games were born, the cornerstone of Western Civilization is experiencing unprecedented destruction with over 650,000 acres of forest and farmland reduced to ashes and more than 61 lives which have been lost so far. It is our sacred duty and obligation to offer whatever assistance we can at this most critical time” His Eminence reflected.

Following the meeting, the Archbishop, spoke with Mr. Andrew S. Natsios, the United States President’s Special Envoy for Sudan, who accepted to serve as Special Advisor to the Archbishop regarding the relief efforts of the Church in America. Mr. Natsios served as Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (US Aid) which is the United States government agency that administers economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. He has enormous experience in the area of offering philanthropic assistance and will employ his great experience and stellar reputation to assure that all funds collected for this disaster are used in the most responsible and efficient manner.

On Monday His Eminence was briefed by Mr. John Negroponte, the United States Deputy Secretary of State who updated the Archbishop about what steps the American government was taking to deal with the tragedy. His Eminence also received a call from the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, the Honorable Alexandros Mallias, in which they discussed the crisis.

A special encyclical was issued by the Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese which requested all parishes to offer special prayers on behalf of all those who have been adversely affected by this disaster and a special collection will take place in all churches for the Greek Fire Relief Fund of the Archdiocese.

Mrs. Georgia Skeadas, National Philoptochos President, announced today a donation of $50,000 as an immediate response of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society to the devastating fires in Greece that have destroyed lives, homes and the livelihood of hundreds of families. The donation to the Hellenic Red Cross was presented to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.

President Skeadas appealed to Philoptochos members throughout the United States to offer prayers “on behalf of the deceased victims of the fires as well as prayers for the survivors, that our merciful Lord bring them comfort, strength and resolve during these tragic days of the aftermath.” She further implores the members to open their hearts, to be munificent and to give their full support to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios’ request for a special appeal in all the parishes.

AHEPA
AHEPA held multiple meetings in order to spear-head and coordinate Greek-American relief efforts in Greece. After multiple conversations with the U.S. Department of State, AHEPA President Ike Gulas has formulated and implemented a strategy to take the lead on Greek-American's efforts in assisting Greece during this ordeal. "In times of crisis, everyone, and rightfully so, feels the desire to drop everything and assist, however, if there isn't an established point or lead, then all efforts may not see fruition," said Gulas.

President Gulas has asked all the chapters to begin putting together care packages and send them to AHEPA Headquarters for delivery to the victims. In the event constructing a care package is too time consuming or difficult at this time, please send a check in the amount of $150 to AHEPA Headquarters, and we will do so on your chapter's or individual's behalf.

Moreover, Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, Greece's Ambassador to the U.S., visited last week AHEPA Headquarters and expressed the need of continued immediate and long-term assistance. The situation was described as being the "worst natural disaster" Greece has ever faced. Mallias also thanked AHEPA for its eagerness, willingness and determination to assist.

Via teleconference, President Gulas reiterated AHEPA's commitment to assisting the ongoing effort. Mr. Gulas also informed the Ambassador of its plan of soliciting the assistance of all firefighters willing to travel to Greece in order to fight the fires. "At present, we are working out the logistics, with the U.S. Department of State's guidance, to arrange transportation from the U.S. to Greece," added Gulas.

SAE
With a $50,000 personal donation to the project “Plant Your Roots in Greece,” aimed at victim relief and Greece’s reforestation, the Coordinator of SAE / USA Theodore G. Spyropoulos helped set the pace encouraging the Omogeneia to contribute for the restoration of Greece’s devastated ecosystem. Additional support began pouring in including a $5,000 donation from “Mistras Group Inc.” a company owned by Dr. Soterios and Aspasia Vahaviolos.

More than $32,000 was donated by Chicago's Greek community during a radiothon over Sotiris Rekoumis' Greek Hour Friday morning. The drive was organized by SAE / USA and the funds are contributed through the project Plant Your Roots in Greece.

“The mobilization of America’s Hellenes is immediate and heart rending,” Mr. Spyropoulos said. “It is particularly satisfying to witness the response of the younger generations who are contributing financially and are also forming volunteer groups. There is no doubt in my mind that Greece will resurrect its ecosystem out of the ashes.”

The first Pan American meeting for relief to the victims of the fires and reforestation in Greece was held Tuesday night in a teleconference organized by the World Council of Hellenes SAE / USA and the Hellenic American National Council. The President of AHEPA Mr. Ike Gulas, presidents of Federations-members of SAE and HANC and other donors and volunteers participated in the teleconference.

“The joint teleconference was phenomenal success and showed the value of unity and cooperation among HANC, SAE and AHEPA” says the president of Hellenic American National Council Mr. E. Velivasakis.

A telethon to raise funds on the East Coast was also announced at the meeting by SAE / USA Coordinator Theodore G. Spyropoulos. “The Hellenic media have been very supportive and we are grateful to all of them as they have carried accurate information and have covered our efforts,” he said. “On September 9 we will hold the first telethon on the National Hellenic Channel of America (NGTV) of Dimitri Kastanas, to raise relief and reforestation funds.” The telethon will be held from 2 p.m. to midnight.

In the near future, after total losses from the fires are assessed and major needs are identified, SAE / USA will call a Pan American meeting of leaders, major donors and distinguished Hellenes and phil-Hellenes to meet with Greek Ambassador Alexandros Mallias in Washington, Mr. Spyropoulos stated. “The meeting will aim to accurately inform America’s Hellenes.

“We are already in close contact with the Ambassador, our member organizations, the President of HANC Manolis Velivasakis, Greece’s national television network and various radio and television programs here and in Greece.

On Tuesday, September 4, 2007, the board of the American Hellenic Congress in conjunction with the World Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE) is organizing a meeting of concerned citizens to explore ways of coordination to help our beloved Greece. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall of Dimitri’s on the Avenue (formerly the City Tavern) at 14316 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn (between Greenfield and Schaefer) (313-584-1515).

“Plant Your Roots in Greece,” a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization under the auspices of SAE / USA and HANC, offers contribution opportunities both to those who wish to support primarily victims of fire and those who wish to contribute to reforestation.

Depending on individual preference, donors to the relief and reforestation campaign can mail their checks to Chicago Community Bank, 234 S. Wabash Ave. FL2, Chicago, Illinois 60604-2365.

Mail checks to Chicago Community Bank, 234 S. Wabash Ave. FL2, Chicago, Illinois 60604-2365.

Make checks Payable to one of two accounts according to preference:
Plant Your Roots in Greece, Acct. # 459-0070-59, for reforestation. Or,
Plant Your Roots in Greece, Acct. # 2000-0394-84, for relief.
IBAN: 07004158

Greeks Crowd Into Banks, Seeking Cash After Fires

By REUTERS

PYRGOS, Greece, Aug. 30 (Reuters) — Thousands of Greeks besieged banks on Thursday, clamoring for state compensation for damage caused by the country’s worst wildfires, a few of which still burned one week into the crisis.

People were taking advantage of a program granting them an instant $4,000 by showing identification and signing a form at banks in affected areas, a simple procedure the government says shows that it is reacting quickly to the fires, which have killed 63 people.

Critics who condemned the center-right government for what they called its initial inability to prevent or extinguish the fires said its compensation system, instituted less than three weeks ahead of parliamentary elections, was open to widespread fraud.

“Who are all these people?” asked Ourania Fotopoulou, as at least 400 people lined up outside a bank here, a provincial capital in the stricken Peloponnesian peninsula. “I don’t recognize a single one of them and I have lived here all my life.”

Many people in the lines spoke with accents from outside the region, and some admitted that they had come from as far away as Athens and Thessaloniki, which is about 370 miles to the north.

A government spokesman said that the forms would be checked later and that anyone committing fraud would be punished. On Wednesday alone, banks handed over more than $33 million.

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said the simplified system was the right thing. “The order is ‘move fast,’ without any delay,” he said at a news briefing. “We’re removing bureaucratic hurdles. Nothing should stand in the way of us doing our duty.”

The government’s handling of the crisis has become a central issue for Mr. Karamanlis’s campaign as the Sept. 16 election approaches. Kathimerini, a center-right newspaper, said he needed to recover from initial impotence in the face of the fires.

“The first round, that is the fight against the fires, was lost because of the poor performance of the state apparatus,” it said. “The second round, that of reconstruction, has only just begun. It will be an uphill struggle within a tight time frame.” A cartoon in the newspaper showed a helicopter flying over scorched countryside dropping bank notes from a water bucket while the pilot says, “Yes, Prime Minister, as agreed, we’re dropping 100-euro bills so the land will turn green again.”

Vast areas of countryside burned, and more than 500 homes were destroyed by the fires, Europe’s most extensive in a decade, according to the European Space Agency.

On Thursday, some fires raged on, one in the western Peloponnesian peninsula, another on the island of Euboea, north of Athens.

The fires will cost Greece at least $1.6 billion, according to a government minister, and Athens plans to use emergency aid from the European Union. Private citizens have already donated almost $52 million to a disaster relief fund.

This information was gathered from:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/0...