April 02, 2009 | hellenicare Continues Emergency Aid to Georgian Families

CHICAGO, IL

Mina Beladze is too young to understand why she lives in a shelter in Tbilisi, Georgia. Every day she asks her mom and dad when they can go home. The only response they can give the little girl is soon. The Beladze family is one of thousands of families who remain homeless as a result of the August 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia. The apartment building they lived in South Ossetia was demolished by the bombing. They have been living in the shelter since August. It is now winter in Georgia. Many of the shelters are in disrepair.

hellenicare, the international, non-governmental organization founded by Andrew A. Athens in 1997, continues its emergency relief efforts in the Republic of Georgia in addition to its ongoing operation of three medical centers in the country. Every day, the Mobile Medical Units based at hellenicare’s medical centers in Tbilisi and Tsalka travel to the shelter to deliver medical care and humanitarian aid. With the help both individual donors and the Onassis Foundation, hellenicare has been providing medical care, humanitarian aid and such needed items as bedding, provide space heaters and stoves to shelters for families. The stoves enabled the families to cook hot food donated by hellenicare through local vendors.

The Georgian Government, with assistance from the U.S. and EU countries, has been rebuilding homes and roads in South Ossetia and Gori, the two hardest hit areas. “The rebuilding process is slow and the harsh winter does not help,” says Dr. Roland Stamatov, hellenicare’s Regional Medical Director. “We are doing our best to keep families and individuals living in the shelters healthy,” continues Dr. Stamatov. “Living in such close quarters in unsanitary conditions can breed illness. The stoves help families to prepare fresh foods as opposed to eating pre-packaged meals.”

“hellenicare will not forget you,” promised Andrew Athens during his recent visit to Georgia in a meeting with the Hellenic community in Gori. “We will do whatever we can to assist you in rebuilding your lives.” Gerald J. Oberndorfer, Director of the Office of Humanitarian Assistance of the U.S. Department of State honored hellenicare in October for its outstanding emergency relief efforts and continued response. The Department of State has also awarded hellenicare two new small reconstruction projects in the Republic of Georgia and additional funds to develop a new mobile medical unit program.

hellenicare expresses its gratitude to the many donors, the U.S. Government, the Hellenic Republic and the Onassis Foundation for their support. For more information about hellenicare and to support our medical and humanitarian programs, please contact 312-337-7243.