A special direct flight carrying a group of volunteer doctors and rescuers and a dispatch of medicines and pharmaceutical material is poised to leave for Haiti on Tuesday morning, provided the conditions in the earthquake-devastated country allow it, Greece’s foreign ministry announced, adding that the Boeing 747 is equipped to bring up to 400 European citizens currently in Haiti to Athens on its return flight.
The Greek mission, in response to an appeal for assistance by Haiti, comprises approximately 25 doctors, healthcare staff, rescuers and officers of the ministry’s International Developmental Cooperation department, while the plane will also be loaded with a large quantity of medicines that are necessary for the first days after the disastrous quake.
The volunteers will remain in Haiti for 10-15 days, depending on the needs there, and will be followed by a second mission to be conveyed by the same plane, which will also carry packaged and tinned food and medical supplies.
Deputy foreign minister Spyros Kouvelis said that Greece, having in mind its historic relations and duty to Haiti, immediately after the tragedy struck earmarked 200,000 euros in financial aid in a first measure for the relief of the people of Haiti, via international organisations, and is continuing with a substantial humanitarian aid initiative.
The ministry is collaborating with the Citizens Protection ministry, the Health ministry and the Agricultural Development ministry in a joint effort for the dispatch of immediate and efficient assistance.
After concerted efforts, Kouvelis has secured the Boeing from Hellenic Imperial Airways, which has agreed to donate upward of 50 percent of the cost of the transportation of the volunteers and medical supplies. The airplane will, on its return flight, bring to Athens citizens of other European countries requiring repatriation.
The foreign ministry has also called on all organisations wishing to help in the relief effort to contact the ministry at tel: 210-3683570 in order to receive a list of the medicines and other supplies needed, which will be sent to Haiti in the second dispatch.
Caption :A child injured by the earthquake receives medical treatment at a hospital run by relief organisation ‘Our little brothers and sisters’ in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 18 Janaury 2010. Offers of help continued to flow into earthquake-ravaged Haiti as the situation in capital Port-au-Prince continued to deteriorate.
(source: ana-mpa)
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