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September 2008

Hellenes Displaced by Georgian Conflict Seek Help from hellenicare

More than 300 internally displaced people (IDPs) of Greek descent received emergency funds, clothing and medical care from hellenicare’s medical center in Tbilisi, Georgia. At the request of the Hellenic Federation of Georgia, hellenicare was asked to help Hellenes from Gori and South Ossetia who fled after the conflict started. These Hellenes have been living in emergency shelters scattered throughout Tbilisi, where there is limited food, water and basic medical care.

“Our good friend Andrew A. Athens, President of hellenicare has once again come to our aid,” said Kyriakos Iordanides, President of the Hellenic Federation of Georgia. “When we met him for the first time in 1997, he vowed to help the Hellenes of Georgia. He has never broken his promise. Today, the medical and humanitarian organization he founded, hellenicare, gives us renewed hope that we are not forgotten and someone cares about our plight in Georgia,” continued Mr. Iordanides.

Through its emergency funds for Georgia, hellenicare was able to give each family a small stipend to locally purchase food and other personal items. The shelters set up for IDPs who fled the conflict zones, have no cooking facilities, showers and in some cases toilets. People must receive prepared meals or have vouchers to locally purchase food items from vendors in the city.

“We are happy to help our fellow Hellenes whose lives have been shattered by the Russian-Georgia conflict,” said Andrew A. Athens. “Our long – term goal is to rebuild the war-torn areas, enabling them return to homes and rebuild their lives.”

People also received clothing and check-ups from hellenicare’s physicians at the Tbilisi clinic. “I am so grateful for this aid,” said Katerina Zervidi. “My daughter and I are alone now. We have family in Tsalka and hellenicare is going to help us get to them after the Russians leave Georgia.”

hellenicare has earned praise for its efforts from leaders of the U.S. Department of State and the Director of the Office of Humanitarian Assistance, Gerald J. Oberndorfer, as well as fellow humanitarian organizations. ACTS President, Dr. Patricia Blair, praised the organization’s team in Georgia for their spirit of cooperation and resourcefulness.

hellenicare has set-up an emergency fund to help the people of Georgia. Donations can be made to hellenicare-Georgia Emergency Fund, c/o hellenicare 980 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1210, Chicago, IL 60611.

For more information, please contact Cynthia A. Yannias, Program Director at 312-337-7243 or via email at cynthia.yannias@hellenicare.org

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