Departure of "The Smile of the Child’s” humanitarian aid mission for children and families in Ukraine

Press Release

Departure of "The Smile of the Child’s” humanitarian aid mission for children and families in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection

Athens, 18th of March 2022

On Friday, 18 March 2022 at 9:30 a.m., in the presence of the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Christos Stylianidis, the mission of the Organization "The Smile of the Child" with humanitarian aid for children and families in Ukraine departed from its facilities in Koropi. The mission was organized in collaboration with the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

His Excellency Mr. Sergii Shutenko, Ambassador  of Ukraine to Greece, was also present during the departure of the mission, standing next to the Organization,  deeply touched and grateful to "The Smile of the Child", the Ministry and of course all those who support his country, which is currently experiencing great suffering.

The General Secretary for Social Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty Mr. George Stamatis, an ally in the effort, was also present in Koropi to support the action.

Moreover, His Eminence the Metropolitan area of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki as well as the Mayor of Kropia, Attica Mr. Dimitrios Kiousis supported the action through their presence during the departure.

The humanitarian aid, consisting of specific items (food, basic necessities, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, medicines and consumables, etc.), as indicated by the European Civil Protection Mechanism in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, will be delivered to the premises of the Mechanism in Poland. The mission will then travel to the border with Ukraine to document the real needs of children and families in the region and provide support to all those in need.

The mission of the Organization comprises specialized scientific staff of the Organization, doctors, rescuers, social workers, psychologists, volunteers, as well as a Mobile Medical Unit (Ambulance) and buses for the transport - if necessary - of mothers and children from the Ukrainian border to Greece.

Upon the departure of the mission the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Mr. Christos Stylianidis stated: "The mission of humanitarian aid to the seriously affected people of Ukraine gives a new dimension to the cooperation between "The Smile of the Child" and the Ministry for Climate Crisis.

A cooperation that develops day by day and for which we are very proud, as "The Smile of the Child" is an institution of recognized competence. Whose work and offer are known to all of us.

I would like to congratulate the President of "The Smile of the Child" and all the employees for this excellent initiative. An initiative embraced by the Greek society, proving in practice its solidarity with our fellow human beings in Ukraine. And I thank them for the excellent cooperation on every level. A tangible evidence of the exceptional results of the cooperation between the civil society stakeholders and the State.

Humanitarian action and solidarity are in the DNA of Civil Protection and of the "Smile". They are common values. These values led to the implementation of this initiative. The nationwide collection of essential items and their shipment to Ukraine through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

A Mechanism that, over time, gives real meaning to the concept of European solidarity. It is the European operational tool that is activated in any case of emergency or humanitarian crisis.

A Mechanism that proves daily how much we can achieve together. With joint actions. With synergies.

A Mechanism that brings Europe closer to its citizens. And which highlights the pivotal role of Europe as a "soft power" force. But also as a leading force in the field of humanitarian aid.

For Greece, the offer of humanitarian aid and European solidarity has been and remains a central political choice. Thank you again".

Shortly before the departure of the mission of the Organization, the President of the Board of Directors of “The Smile of the Child", Mr. Costas Yannopoulos, stated:

"We are all very happy that we managed in such a short time to organize the mission in cooperation with the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

Personally and representing the "Smile" I would like to thank the Minister and his associates, who as always, are immediate and effective, ready to support anyone in need. Our cooperation, once again, highlights the very positive results that the conjunction of institutions with other certified bodies such as the "Smile" has.

We are deeply moved by the presence here today of the Ambassador of Ukraine in Greece. We are by his side, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his compatriots and we assure him that we are doing everything in our power to support the children and families, who are the future of the country. I would also like to thank the Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki and the Mayor of Kropia, who are also by our side and came here today to support our mission.

I would also like to note the presence of the Secretary General for Social Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty, Mr. George Stamatis, who is firmly standing by our side, playing a key role in managing our country's aid to the suffering Ukraine.

Our cooperation with the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protectio also strengthened the trust of dozens of companies, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), municipalities, citizens, schools and so many others, who responded immediately and positively to our call and thanks to all of them we gathered the necessary items, food, medicine and consumables needed by children in Ukraine. I also publicly express our gratitude to all the Greeks, who once again listened to the suffering and need of our fellow human beings and responded confidently to "The Smile of the Child". I would like to assure them that with absolute transparency we will hand over everything that was generously entrusted to us to all those in need and we will be at the forefront to effectively support the children and families who are living through the horrors of war.

I would also like to say, that with our departure we take with us the teddy bears that children have already sent us from all over Greece to be delivered to their friends in Ukraine. With a lot of love, we will hand them out one by one, with a big hug!".

"The Smile of the Child" wishes to warmly thank the companies, the citizens, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), the municipalities, the schools from all over Greece that responded to our call and continue to respond, as the effort has not been completed, as long as there are children and families from Ukraine who need the support of all of us.

"The Smile of the Child" wishes to thank warmly the companies:

• ACS COLLEGE
• ADAPTIT ΑΕ
• AKIS PETRETZIKIS
• ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
• ANATOLIA COLLEGE
• ATTICA BANK S.A.
• AVAX SA
• BAUSCH HEALTH
• BRILLIANT PR
• COCA-COLA HBC
• COSMOS SPORT
• DHL EXPRESS HELLAS A.E.
• EGNATIA HOTEL THESSALONIKI
• EUROCERT A.E.
• EWORX AE
• FARMAKODRIFT.GR
• FOR HEALTH
• GRANT THORNTON SA
• GRECOTEL HOTELS & RESORTS
• GRYPARI KELLY
• HELLASPHONE
• INTERAMERICAN
• INTERTRADE HELLAS ABEE
• K22 GLOBAL TRADERS SMPC
• LONDESSA SA
• MATTEL
• MEDICO - A.BITOULA - S.BOUDOURIDOU & CO
• MIELE HELLAS GMBH
• MYTHIKI.GR
• NAVARINO TELECOM S.A.
• NESTLE HELLAS SINGLE MEMBER SA
• PHARMACY 295 IKE
• PROCTER & GAMBLE HELLAS ABEE
• SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
• TASKUS
• TOFARMAKEIOMOU
• TOP CARE
• TRANE HELLAS SA
• TUV AUSTRIA
• UNIQUESHOP.GR
• VAMP Α.Ε
• VITA MANAGEMENT SA
• WHIRLPOOL
• WURTH HELLAS S.A.
• ATTIKES DIADROMES S.A.
• AEGEAN MOTORWAY S.A.
• EPIROTIC BOTTLING INDUSTRY S.A. (VIKOS S.A.)
• VIOLANTA SA
• JANNIS S.A.
• DAMKALIDIS S.A.
• DIOS NATURAL MINERAL WATER – S. MENTEKIDIS S.A.
• DYNAMIKI S.A.
• EGNATIA ODOS S.A.
• STERGIOU GROUP OF COMPANIES
• ELTA
• ΕLTA COURIER
• ERMIS
• THEONI WATER – AHB GROUP S.A.
• IAPONIKI S.A.
• THE YOUTH AND LIFELONG LEARNING FOUNDATION (INEDIVIM)
• INTROFEX S.A.
• ΙΟΝ SA
• KIOUSSIS TRANSYS
• COSMOS SPORT S.A.
• KOTSOVOLOS
• LARISSA DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL CENTERS SA
• LIDL HELLAS
• LYHNIA S.A.
• MARMOURIS S.A.
• MICROBIOLOGICAL LABORATORY - DIMITRIOS KALIKATZAROS
• MOUSTAKAS TOYS
• BATTERIES DISSIOS
• NEA ODOS S.A.
• ORPHEE BEINOGLOU S.A.
• PANHELLENIC CLUB OF RADIO USERS (GERASIMOS MANOLATOS)
• FRONTISTIRIA POUKAMISAS -EDUCATIONAL CENTERS
• PRONET HELLAS - TSAROUHA
• RIGAS PLASTIKA
• SKLAVENITIS
• TSEKOULIAS S.A.
• XIMERIS PHARMACY

Photos of the Departure of the Organization’s Mission are available here