Greece may have reached an agreement for a historic bailout, preventing the country from spiraling into further chaos, but that doesn't mean Greeks are in the clear.
After years of austerity measures following the global recession in 2008, Greece remains in the middle of a humanitarian crisis, and it might not even receive bailout money until mid-August. The country's most vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, elderly, children and refugees, continue to face countless hardships -- and they could use the world's help.
The unemployment rate is currently 25.6% -- the worst in the European Union. Families aren't able to afford medicine, food or even funerals. Suicide rates have increased by more than 35% during the first two years of austerity programs, showing a need for more mental health services during the crisis.
An average of 1,000 refugees arrive in Greece every day, while the number of homeless people in Athens alone has topped 20,000.
Finishing touches on painting of a homeless man that took 3 days to complete, 5 years to inspire. #Athens #Greece pic.twitter.com/2BFjO8GszV— Daniele Hamamdjian (@DHamamdjian) July 4, 2015
If you're looking to support those in need, these 14 nonprofits, NGOs and charities are working in Athens and Thessaloniki -- Greece's largest cities -- as well as many areas throughout the country.
But this is a starting point, not an exhaustive list. If you know of an organization doing good work in Greece, drop your suggestions in the comments below.
1. DESMOS
DESMOS, which means "bond" or "link" in Greek, is a nonprofit that acts as an intermediary between the private sector and NGOs. It collects surplus goods -- packaged food, hygiene products, medicine and more -- from companies and individuals, and uses its infrastructure (storage units and distribution vans) to deliver them to the charities and organizations that need them.
Since it was founded in 2012, DESMOS has worked with more than 450 social welfare organizations and more than 900 volunteers, and has helped benefit more than 300,000 people in Greece.
You can either donate to DESMOS here, or use its DESMOS Direct platform to connect directly to NGOs in need. DESMOS is also collaborating with UK entrepreneur Thom Feeney on the Greek Crowdfund campaign on Indiegogo.
2. PRAKSIS
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Posted by Praksis on Wednesday, June 3, 2015
PRAKSIS was founded in 2004 to continue the work of Doctors Without Borders, focusing primarily on medical services. It has since offered a range of services for more holistic care, including housing and shelter for refugees and the homeless, legal services, psychological services, medical examinations (including free HIV and hepatitis tests via its mobile units), and more.
The organization has three "axes": prevention, direct intervention and support, and lobbying and advocacy. It has 80,000 beneficiaries every year.
You can find a comprehensive list of PRAKSIS' various programs here, and find ways to donate and support here.
Πρόσβαση στην υγειονομική περίθαλψη για άτομα που αντιμετωπίζουν πολλαπλές ευαλωτότητες. Εμπόδια στην πρόσβαση σε περίθαλψη για παιδιά και εγκύους στην Ευρώπη.#Health4all Η ετήσια έκθεση του Δικτύου των Γιατρών του Κόσμου – Médecins Du Monde για τις ανισότητες στην Υγεία στην Ευρώπη, με έμφαση στις πιο ευάλωτες ομάδες όπως οι έγκυες και τα παιδιά. Η έρευνα βασίστηκε σε δείγμα 23.341 ασθενών των Γιατρών του Κόσμου σε 11 χώρες συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της Ελλάδας. http://mdmgreece.gr/prosvasi-stin-igionomiki-perithalpsi-gia-atoma-pou-antimetopizoun-pollaples-evalototites-empodia-stin-prosvasi-se-perithalpsi-gia-pedia-ke-egkious-stin-evropi-3/ A photo posted by Γιατροί Του Κόσμου (@giatroitoukosmou) on May 19, 2015 at 4:13am PDT
The Greece branch of Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World, or MDM) is an independent NGO that has worked to ensure the basic right of health care for every person in the country since 1990.
In addition to basic health needs, including medicines and vaccinations for vulnerable populations, MDM offers shelter and services for refugees and migrants, housing for the homeless, mental health programs, and services for uninsured families and children. It also has mobile units to deliver these services to people who cannot otherwise reach them.
Learn how to donate to MDM's Greece branch here, and find local volunteer opportunities here.
4.
Σήμερα η ομάδα του ΜΠΟΡΟΥΜΕ μαγειρεύει λαχταριστά φαγητά για αστέγους στα Μαθήματα Μαγειρικής! pic.twitter.com/nIeGQR5abM— ΜΠΟΡΟΥΜΕ! (@boroume) May 24, 2015
BOROUME, which means "we can" in Greek, is a nonprofit that focuses on eliminating food waste, connecting with donors and distributing surplus food to soup kitchens, welfare organizations and municipality social services in more than 80 Greek cities and towns. According to its website, BOROUME has donated more than 2.5 million meals since it was founded in 2011.
The nonprofit also has an educational program, in which 800,000 children have participated, and claims to have donated 2 million euros worth of surplus food in 2014.
You can find various ways to support BOROUME here.
...200 immigrants (50 kids) arrived on the port of Palaiochora Crete Greece! pic.twitter.com/1blYJm7cqB— HELLENIC RED CROSS (@HRC_SAMARITES) May 13, 2015
Greece's branch of the Red Cross has 75 offices in big cities and 42 committees in smaller towns. Its work includes centers for social support and integration of refugees, free vaccinations for infants and children, health services and education programs, housing assistance for the homeless, services for the elderly and those with disabilities, psychological support services and youth programs.
You can donate securely to the Hellenic Red Cross online via Ammado, or use the bank codes provided by the organization here.
6. UNHCR
83% αυξήθηκαν οι αφίξεις στη Μεσόγειο το πρώτο εξάμηνο του 2015 σε σχέση με την ίδια περίοδο πέρυσι #Mediterranean pic.twitter.com/iUrTzQrdLY— UNHCR Greece (@UNHCRGreece) July 1, 2015
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (the UN Refugee Agency, or UNHCR), protects the rights and well-being of refugees around the world. Operating in Greece since 1952, the UNHCR works with the government, NGOs and other organizations to protect refugees and asylum seekers, as well as inform public opinion about the refugee crisis to "create a climate of tolerance and respect for the rights of refugees."
You can donate to UNHCR's efforts in Greece here.
7. Hamogelo Tou Paidioú (The Smile of the Child)
We need your support! Save the Children in #Greece! #SOS #SaveOurSmile http://t.co/6uIzY3wxAw cc @AGAPWorg pic.twitter.com/Fr6eLGjD3W— Χαμόγελο του Παιδιού (@hamogelo) July 13, 2015
The Smile of the Child defends children's rights, establishing a helpline for children, a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, community homes for unaccompanied children and children in danger, preventive medicine programs, social and psychological support, and more.
Visit the nonprofit's support page for more information on getting involved.
Do not forget the other aspect of humanitarian crisis in Greece. @caritas_hellas is also trying to deal with it https://t.co/4W4tCrgLB0— Caritas Hellas (@caritas_hellas) July 14, 2015
Caritas Internationalis is an international Roman Catholic charity working with the poor and other vulnerable populations, regardless of religion. Caritas Hellas, the Greece branch, offers social support services to migrants and refugees, young people, the elderly and families, and provides humanitarian aid throughout the country.
Caritas Hellas distributes food, clothing, education, counseling and psychological support to 300 people every day, including 80 children.
You can donate to a variety of local Caritas organizations in Greece here.
Πόσοι άνθρωποι έχουν χάσει τη ζωή τους στη Μεσόγειο τα τελευταία 15 χρόνια; #refugees #migrants https://t.co/acCpAcyRnu— ΓΙΑΤΡΟΙ ΧΩΡΙΣ ΣΥΝΟΡΑ (@MSFgreece) May 20, 2015
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF) focuses on public health in Greece for migrants, asylum seekers and those affected by the cuts in the country's health system due to the financial crisis.
Click here for MSF Greece's donation page.
10. Kivotos Tou Kosmou (Ark of the World)
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Posted by Κιβωτός του Κόσμου on Wednesday, May 27, 2015
The Ark of the World is a faith-based nonprofit that works to give food, clothing, medical and dental care, and education led by volunteers to children around Greece, as well as financial aid to impoverished, single-parent families. The organization's social workers also provide family and career counseling,
You can donate here, and find volunteer opportunities here.
11. SolidarityNow
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Posted by Solidarity Now on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
This nonprofit, established in 2013 through the Open Society Foundations and founded by business magnate George Soros, offers refuge medical services, legal counseling, child and family support and career counseling at two "solidarity centers" -- one in Athens and one in Thessaloniki. It partners with PRAKSIS and ARSIS, a youth-focused organization.
You can support SolidarityNow's efforts here.
12. ActionAid Hellas
Xαρήκαμε και δεν το κρύβουμε! Είχαμε την πρώτη νίκη της εκστρατείας μας για την εκπαίδευση των παιδιών με αναπηρία! Δες στο blog μας πώς καταφέραμε με την υπογραφή σου να κάνουμε ένα από τα αιτήματά μας πραγματικότητα! http://goo.gl/4dKNzZ Δεν θα σταματήσουμε εδώ! H υπογραφή σου μετράει: http://www.actionaid.gr/aoratapaidia/ #success #actionaidhellas #aoratapaidia #hit #action #top #smile #happiness #yes #fun #enjoy A photo posted by ActionAid Hellas (@actionaidhellas) on Jun 17, 2015 at 4:09am PDT
ActionAid is an international organization working against poverty and inequality. Working with the poor and marginalized people, ActionAid aims to increase the political influence of the poor, increase education opportunities and advocate for women and girls.
You can make a donation to ActionAid Hellas here.
13. International Orthodox Christian Charities
As #Greece's economy worsens, #IOCC is responding with more food for the growing number of families facing... http://t.co/jAcOLBTjxI— IOCC Relief (@IOCCRelief) July 7, 2015
The IOCC in Greece focuses on medical assistance, food access, emergency aid, development aid and economic recovery. According to its website, it has distributed more than $12 million in medical supplies to hospitals and free clinics, gets food to more than 5,000 through soup kitchens and food banks, offers financial leverage to 30 agriculture cooperatives and producers' associations (about 300 families).
You can donate online here.
Find out how you can help vulnerable children during the #GreekCrisis: http://t.co/YonHS69pC7 #Greece— SOS Children (@sos_children) July 7, 2015
Devoted to addressing child poverty, international organization SOS Children's Villages runs eight social centers in major cities to support families. These centers include job training, educational support and and counseling services. There are also three children's villages, offering housing, counseling and more to better integrate children and families into their communities.
You can sponsor a child in Greece here, or donate to the overall organization here.