SYN-ENOSIS’ contribution to the National Health System, the frontline doctors and nurses in the long-term battle against Covid-19, was and is still of significant importance. Till today, more than 55 Hospitals and reference laboratories have been supported with the provision of equipment, essential in the fight against the pandemic but also for the best treatment of thousands of our fellow citizens.

Dealing with this unprecedented health crisis, the Greek shipping community with the immediate response of 151 members raised 13.1 million Euros, utilized by its’ Social Welfare Company SYN-ENOSIS to supply the National Health System with 335 ICU ventilators, 20 portable ventilators, 200 ICU monitors, 100 ICU hospital beds, the first negative pressure ambulance of the National Centre of Emergency Care for the safe transport of COVID-19 patients and a variety of consumables medical and sanitary equipment.

In this challenging time, it is noteworthy that the required equipment, donated by the shipping community, has already been installed and placed in operation, to address hospitalized patients’ demanding needs and ICU’s preparedness at Hospitals in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Larissa, Ioannina, Alexandroupoli, Crete and at 25 leading hospitals in Greece.

By a joint decision of the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and SYN-ENOSIS, in 2020, the annual co-funded program “COLLABORATING FOR HEALTH” was dedicated to the procurement of 24,000 SARS-CoV2 diagnostic tests and equipment to cover the needs of the University Laboratories of Athens and Thessaloniki and the Pasteur Institute. Moreover, SYN-ENOSIS delivers crucial support to doctors and nurses with the provision of medical supplies and consumables (medical face masks, medical protective uniforms etc.) in Hospitals. At the same time, decisions have been launched for the urgent strengthening of the ICU operation of reference hospitals, the support of the vaccination project throughout the country as well as the funding of six research programs with which distinguished Greek scientists study treatments for Covid-19 disease and monitor evolution of the pandemic.

The shipping community in prompt response to the Ministry of Education request to support distance learning, donated 5,000 tablets to cover students and teachers needs across the country.

Emphasis has been placed on the enhancement of the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Hellenic Fire Brigade challenging work and their decisive role in protecting and promoting public health, by the continuous supply of personal protective equipment and consumables, as well as the significant upgrade of their fleet.

Moreover, was announced the funding of 22 modern and fully equipped Peugeot ambulances, 20 of which will be donated at the National Center of Emergency Care and 2 at the Hellenic Police. These ambulances are the first in Greece to have an electric assistance stretcher and a patient assisted transfer seat, features of next generation ambulances, which upgrade the operational capabilities of the National Center of Emergency Care for the benefit of the patient. 

The shipping community’s collective activity in the health sector alongside its members’ individual initiatives - continues in 2022 along with the implementation of its’ ongoing, extensive public welfare program.

SYN-ENOSIS HAS RAISED MORE THAN 7 MILLION EUROS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE WILDFIRE VICTIMS OF ATTIKA, AS A RESULT OF ITS CALL FOR ACTION, ADDRESSED TO GREEK SHIPOWNERS AND THE GREEK SHIPPING COMMUNITY FOR COLLECTIVE AID.

The Union of Greek Shipowners through the Non-Profit Greek Shipowners’ Social Welfare Company SYN-ENOSIS, faithful to its mission to always help Greeks in need, had made its commitment public, from the very first moment, to provide aid to the fire victims of the destructive wildfires of Attika, calling all members to unite their efforts in order to provide substantial relief and support to those in need.
To date, and for this cause exclusively, the collective response of the shipowners and the shipping community at large to the call of SYN-ENOSIS, additionally to any other individual and corporate donations from people in the shipping industry, has gathered more than 7 million euros, an amount that keeps increasing as donations continue.
The donation will be earmarked for the immediate implementation of a specific action-plan made by SYN-ENOSIS, in a series of targeted initiatives in various areas, always focusing on aiding people, the environment and society. More specifically, the initiatives concern:
1. The repair of initially 3 search and rescue Super Puma special helicopters, for operational readiness.
2. The reconstruction of homes that were destroyed completely by the wildfires, based on income and social criteria.
3. The psychological and nutritional support of victims from vulnerable groups, such as elderly people, in collaboration with social organizations that specialize in programs of psycho-social and nutritional support.
4. The provision of financial support to 263 lyceum (B’ and C’ Grade) and university students in the affected areas.
5. The provision of necessary equipment and essentials for the support of the fire victims.
6. The design and implementation of carefully planned tree planting in collaboration with environmentalists.
7. The installation of generators and fire hydrants, and the restoration of areas and structures of destroyed equipment.

Mr. Theodoros Veniamis, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Greek Shipowners’ Social Welfare Company SYN-ENOSIS, stated: “We have committed, from the very first moment, to stand by our fellow citizens that have been affected by the destructive wildfires. Today, after the great response and the donations from our members, that have already exceeded 7 million euros, we are ready to initiate our program to support the local communities. The most substantial part of our contribution begins now, since SYN-ENOSIS has the direct responsibility for the implementation of the action-plan, aiming to effectively cover the needs of people in the affected areas.