Items of technological
equipment
Medical
examinations
Liters of
heating oil
Food and personal
hygiene packages
Hospital
units
Merchant marine
academies
Schools &
Scholarships
Welfare
organizations
Public security forces &
National defence unites
SYN-ENOSIS and members of the shipping community respond with great sensitivity to sudden incidents that strike the country and are mobilized to handle emergency crises.
- THESSALY CRISIS / FLOODING IN THESSALY, 2023
- RHODES WILDFIRES 2023
- WILDFIRE PROGRAM 2021
- AID OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE PANDEMIC
- SUPPORT OF EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN ELASSONA
- MORE THAN 7 MILLION EUROS IN DONATION FROM SYN-ENOSIS TO THE WILDFIRE VICTIMS OF ATTIKΑ
From the very outset, immediate relief measures were implemented for flood victims in Thessaly region following Storm Daniel. In coordination with the Civil Protection Operations Coordination Center of Larissa - essential items including sleeping bags, waterproof tents, bedding, baby food, cleaning supplies, and other necessities were distributed from the first days of these devastating events.
The shipping community raised over € 50 million and developed restoration and recovery initiatives in the affected areas of Thessaly, with a strong focus on Education, Culture, and Health, as well as targeted parallel initiatives to empower local communities across 18 locations in the wider region.
As part of this holistic and multifaceted programme, symbolically entitled “Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos)”, significant investments have been made to restore, upgrade, and equip 33 schools, benefiting more than 2.450 students. In addition, 8 more schools have been strengthened with new equipment and essential renovation, creating and ensuring improved educational environments for even more children.
In parallel, and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the programme is advancing the restoration and preservation of landmark archaeological sites and ecclesiastical monuments, safeguarding the region’s cultural heritage while fostering sustainable development for the future. Among these are the Athanasakio Archaeological Museum of Volos, the Holy Communal Nunnery of Pammegiston Taxiarchon (Most Great Archangels) on Mt Pelion in St George Nelias, the Historic Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Larissa and the Archaeological Site of the Neolithic Settlement of Sesklo.
Under the Health pillar, and with the aim of enhancing key healthcare facilities in the region, the equipment at the Gastroenterology Clinic of the General University Hospital of Larissa has been successfully upgraded. A new initiative is also underway, including the renovation and modernisation of the Neonatal Unit- NICU and the provision of equipment to the Paediatric Clinic at the same hospital.
As part of this action plan, 7 rescue teams and 230 volunteer rescuers across 4 cities in Thessaly have been equipped with specialised equipment and vehicles, enabling them to carry out their vital work more effectively.
Along these lines, the Cultural & Educational Association of Marathea in Karditsa and the Cultural Center of Falani in Larissa were supported through the provision of traditional costumes to replace those that had been destroyed, further reinforcing local traditions.
Over a six-month period, 107 flood-affected families with minor children from the prefectures of Trikala, Larissa, Volos and Karditsa received ongoing support in collaboration with “Together for Children”. An additional 220 vulnerable families continue to receive support through SYN-ENOSIS’ food aid programme.
Finally, this comprehensive programme covers the restoration of two institutions in the Volos area, serving 105 beneficiaries, including children in need of protection and older people, as well as the refurbishment of two summer camps hosting 1.400 boys and girls aged 7 to18 from Thessaly and across Greece.
After the catastrophic wildfires in Rhodes, in July 2023, as a prompt gesture of support to the fire-stricken citizens in collaboration with the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry’s National Coordination Centre for Operations and Crisis Management, we provided Rhodes’ Fire Department with isotonic drinks and in collaboration with island’s regional unit, a large number of mattresses were distributed as well as medical and pharmaceutical equipment following the Hellenic Red Cross’s request. Αdditionally, we provided EMPONAS CIVIL PROTECTION VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION with 20 backpack fire extinguishers to strengthen their resources.
More specifically, five (5) SUV’s and three (3) 4x4 pickup fire trucks were donated for the transportation both of personnel and ground forces on the frontline of the firefighting operations, five (5) forest fire trucks to support the wildland firefighting along with various necessary equipment such as, portable transceivers to support firefighter communications, portable gas detectors, tires, fire retardant suits, firefighter helmets, chemical protective suits, and Pilot helmets for flight crew or aircrews.
Furthermore, the provision of equipment and the repair of the damage caused by the fire at the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior Vrilissia Varibobi primary school were funded as well as the provision of heating oil at the primary school of Agia Anna Evia.
Provision of Personal Protective Equipment has also been delivered to the following Volunteer Firefighting Organisations of Forest Protection, KAPANDRITI-POLYDENDRI VOLUNTEER TEAM, OROPOS FIRE PROTECTION VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION, AGHIOS STEFANOS CIVIL PROTECTION VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION, VYRON FOREST & NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION CENTRE, KRYONERI CIVIL PROTECTION VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION, HELLENIC RESCUE TEAM OF ARCADIA & VOLUNTEER FOREST FIRE PROTECTION AND FIREFIGHTING TEAM OF ILIOUPOLI.
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.
The response of the Union of Greek Shipowners and its social welfare company SYN-ENOSIS was immediate, for the relief of the earthquake victims with clothing items (500 blankets) for their first urgent needs in cooperation with tv station SKAI and the ALL TOGETHER WE CAN action.
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 265 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.
