By Roumpini Terzaki | Project Developer
MATI 2021
Dear friends,
The summer of 2021 will be the 3rd year of the catastrophic fire that completely destroyed the Mati area (next to N.Makri). In 2018, with your support, we founded a 'HUG POINT' in partnership with HUG 4YOUTH.
Today Kid & Family, is still supporting the last 15 families who were victims of the fire, people who lost their homes and their property, and some lost family members. These people are surviving, homeless and without any income and we are supporting them with much needed Psychological support and other essentials of life.
From our “HUG POINT” base in the area we have three volunteers who work from 8:00-20:00 six days a week from our 'store'. We continue to provide support to parents who lost their kids and kids who became orphans or single parent families, 48 kids and adults. We provide a place they can visit daily to receive free food and essential supplies, for example, hygiene products, masks and nutritional products and supplements. Volunteer Doctors and Therapists visit fire victims under request for C19, mental health and medicines needed.
It's hard to believe, after seeing such devastation, that it used to be a place where Athenians went to spend weekends. But there is hope, the ground is becoming green again - nature and HUG 4Youth is continuing to make a difference.
BACKGROUND
Under their shadow of trees, we started operating a 'HUG POINT' with our minivan carrying products and therapists every week to fulfil the needs of the community and to provide mental health care. For many people this was, and still is, indispensable.
During the Covid 19 Pandemic, we have had to make a permanent base in MATI because of the strict lockdown rules. For more than 18months it was practically impossible to reach the area, located 56km distance from the city. The one year lockdown in Greece has been imposed quickly, even in areas like MATI, N.Makri, Voutsas. Areas completely destroyed by the fire, and that have had 0 (zero) cases of Covid. Residents, victims of the fire, are trying to build up their lives, their homes and shops under the strict rule of lockdown.
In the last year there have been no Covid 19 cases, so we are hopeful that the area will get a 'permission of functioning.'
Currently, the national bank account, where money was raised to help families is blocked for reasons we can’t understand. This is in the moment that the country is going through a most difficult period after a whole year of restrictive lockdown measures that have levelled the economy and labour market. And, now the fire victims have received further devasting 'news' - an ultimatum to leave by the end of April 2021.
Ten days ago, exactly one day before the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the National Fair of liberation from Ottomans, the firefighters in Mati were confronted with an unpleasant "DECISION". According to the letter received from the army, the residents are called to leave the KAAY Motel in Agios Andreas.
In the following paragraph we have translated for you the letter that "expels" the Mati residents, (kick them out). This letter arrived with no stamp or signature:
"We know that more than two years have passed since the catastrophic fire of July 23, 2018 in the Mati, area of Attica. The Military Service has estimated that the support provided to the victims was extremely important, especially in the first period after the disaster. It is noted that the size of this offer exceeded any other similar action of the Service in the past, in the context of the Social Offer.
Following the above, it was decided that the residents of the Motels of KAAY Ag. Andrea, hand over the houses available to them, by the end of April at the latest.
Thank you for your cooperation, we remain at your disposal for any further information ".
This means our HUG point is more necessary than ever, as it is the only security remaining for the homeless kids and families who have all faced many devastating personal difficulties over the past 3 years since the fire.
Please see the following Media reports:
OUR PLANS
A permanent HUG point for Fire victims.
It seems that the Government is not considering the needs of these families who are not even entitled to rent allowance. The families, of course, are asking for a short extension to stay because we are still in the midst of the Covid pandemic and lockdown.
We have motivated the residents to write a letter to our Prime Minister asking that he grant the request for a temporary extension to stay. Ultimately, a permanent solution will be decided by the Army or the Government.
We now need to get the H.U.G. point ready with all needed equipment as soon possible. We need to gain some time, until there is a permanent solution, for the residents who are still suffering as victims of this catastrophic fire.
OUR NEEDS
During Covid lockdown, it is difficult to keep up our door-to-door distributions and Doctors' visits. Whilst we wait for a Government decision we are struggling to keep our volunteers safe and in action during the Covid Pandemic. We need your help and support with the following:
These are crucial needs for our volunteers and Doctors helping people every day. Please get involved. We are completely staffed by volunteers and have NO EMPLOYEES.
Please stay by our side, stay safe and share your humanity. For all people suffering on our Planet, for all kids and adults.
Warm regards.
Links:
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