Refugees on the Greek island of Kos © dpa
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe appeals for donations for people in Greece. Under the motto "Help for people in need," the Protestant aid organization is collecting money for both poor families and refugees.
The president of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Cornelia Fullkrug-Weitzel, called it "scandalous that a European country" needs such emergency aid for its own inhabitants and for the refugees. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe plans to work with local church partner "Apostoli" to distribute donations.
Helping people in temporary need
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe decided to make the appeal for donations for European Greece because many people there are "temporarily in an emergency situation" from which they "cannot get out on their own in the short term," Fullkrug-Weitzel told Evangelischer Pressedienst on Thursday. In addition, he said, there are individuals, groups and companies in Germany who have asked Diakone Katastrophenhilfe if they can donate to those in need in Greece. "So we make sure that those willing to help and those in need of help come together," said the pastor, who is also chairwoman of the board of the Evangelical Work for Diakonia and Development.
Showers and toilets for refugees
For the thousands of refugees stranded on Aegean islands such as Lesbos, Samos and Chios, showers and toilets are to be set up and hygiene items distributed. Fullkrug-Weitzel emphasized that only money donated for aid in Greece is used for this purpose. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe’s other funds are needed "not in rich Europe" but in countries in Africa and the Middle East, where 95 percent of all refugees are received, she said.
Cooperation with Greek organization "Apostoli
Through the "International Orthodox Church Charities," Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is working with the Greek organization "Apostoli". The Archdiocese of Athens’ relief organization works nationwide. To counteract the shortage, "Apostoli", for example, distributes vouchers to more than 2.000 families, enabling them to buy fresh produce in the greater Athens area, disaster relief explained. In addition, "Apostoli" distributes basic foodstuffs and school materials and maintains a soup kitchen, which produces more than 2.000 people were supplied.