26.07.2018
Hellenic Red Cross renders assistance
For donations you could connect with Hellenic Red Cross: Lina Kanata - e-mail: linakanata@redcross.gr
Following the previous update of the disastrous fires that have been raging since 23 July, the latest official figures are as follows: the number of deaths now stands at 81; adults injured are 164; 234 houses are partly damaged, and 211 are completely destroyed by the fires.
The major fires are still active in the area of Air in the Gerania Mountains and in the Kallitechnoupoli area of Rafina - Pikermi in Attica.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action up to now, 75 people have been reached by the Hellenic Red Cross (HRC) through first aid, Restoring Family Links (RFL), primary health care, as well as Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Psychosocial Support (PSS). First-aid hotspots set up by the Samaritan volunteers of the HRC have continued to be active. The Emergency Health Unit has been deployed since Tuesday, as well as the Emergency Psychosocial Support Unit. The Mobile Health Unit (MHU) was deployed to offer medical services in front of the municipality of Rafina. Spanish Red Cross is supporting the HRC with coordination on the MHU. Starting from 26 July, the Emergency Health Unit will be mobile in the residential areas since it is reported that some people staying in their homes in fear of theft. Health issues addressed have included minor burns, eye irritation and minor muscular/skeleton injuries. People have also been assisted through PFA to help cope with the loss of their loved ones, livelihoods and property. RFL services have been provided with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). RFL established a direct line of communication with the fire department on 25 June, because fire service have been appointed as focal point for missing persons. On 24 July, to carry out a needs assessment, the HRC deployed its National Disaster Response Team (NDRT), consisting of a team leader and focal points for Health, PSS, Protection, RFL, Community Engagement and Accountability as well as Disaster Management. The assessment is ongoing, but several factors have inhibited a comprehensive understanding of the damage and needs, including that people are difficult to reach. HRC, supported by the IFRC team in Athens, is currently preparing a response plan and will apply to the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to complement the assistance provided by the government. Cash assistance is being considered, together with RFL and PSS. Consideration is also given to launching an Emergency Appeal.
For more information, please visit: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/Appeals/18/IB2_Greece_Wildfires_25072018.pdf