EVOLSAR

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Beirut Blast Response

August 10, 2020 in Humanitarian Aid, International Deployment by Administrator

Following news of the state of emergency being declared after an explosion in Beirut, EVOLSAR member teams have put themselves on high alert. When international assistance was requested by the government of Lebanon our member teams have reported to their respective governments and international bodies.

As a result, the following teams were requested to deploy to Beirut:

International emergency Firefighters (PUI), an INSARAG-qualified team from France has deployed 20 volunteers with search dogs, drones and other necessary search and medical equipment.

SARAID from United Kingdom deployed a team of 6 structural engineers and USAR operatives to provide a much-needed professional engineering and damage assessment. Following the initial situation assessment, a second wave of five (5) volunteers was deployed to Beirut.

Other teams remained on standby. During the state of alert SAR-TEAM from Portugal took an opportunity to simulate deployment to international disaster and exercised mobilization of its personnel.

Deployed teams continuously provide in-depth information from the disaster area to other member teams, which will definitely help to reinforce professional standard of all teams. Experience that they bring home will be disseminated to others during joint exercises organized by EVOLSAR.

As an example of such results of EVOLSAR’s continuous efforts is the fact that upon arrival SARAID was asked to work alongside another volunteer firefighter team – @fire from Germany. These two teams have already learnt how to work together during previous collaboration between the teams and also during one EVOLSAR simulation.

All of the above shows that EVOLSAR is on the right path to bring together volunteer rescue organizations from all over Europe to strengthen them through unity and multi-disciplinary training.

Above all, the main goal of all our members is to provide relief to affected populations quicker, in bigger numbers and on at professional standards. Our thought and prayers go to the people of Lebanon.

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Migration and Refugee crisis in Greece

April 5, 2016 in Humanitarian Aid by Administrator

Over the past seven months, since September 2015, volunteers of the Elite Special Task Force Greece (EP.OM.E.A) have provided their assistance in this difficult situation that both Greece and the refugees are facing.

Initially, upon assistance request, EP.OM.E.A. worked at Skala Sykamias on the island of Lesvos, with the support of the region of Thessaloniki, and operated in emergency units as set up by Doctor Andreas Iliadis (a paediatrician from Patra) with the assistance of Georgios Roumeliotis (President of EP.OM.E.A. Egaleo), on a daily basis for one month. The EP.OM.E.A. team that reached Lesvos island consisted of fifteen (15) volunteers (lifeguards, medical personnel and first aiders) who were operating on a daily basis, using a 12-meter inflatable all-weather boat and ATVs on land, as long as this could be financially possible.

Following this humanitarian activity of EP.OM.E.A., thanks to the cooperation and assistance of WAHA International and its General Secretary Dr. Sinan Khaddaj, the rescue team was registered within the strategic operation plan of the National Health Operations Centre (EKEPY) of the Ministry of Health. Thus, the rescue team started offering medical services in the refugee camps thanks to its doctors, rescuers and nurses on the Greek Islands of Lesvos and Kos, in Eidomeni, in the Baseball Stadium and in the Arrivals section of the Elliniko Camp and Elaionas Camp, where medical clinics have been set up, with sixteen (16) EP.OM.E.A. volunteers, on a daily basis. Therefore, EP.OM.E.A. is currently providing medical services at theses clinics for 8 to 10 hours daily, thanks to this cooperation with WAHA, the headquarters of which lie in Paris. EP.OM.E.A. thanks Dr. Sinan Khaddaj who has facilitated this cooperation.

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Collection of Food in Aid of Serbia

July 10, 2014 in Humanitarian Aid by Administrator

For the second consecutive time, the Greek EURO SAR member, the Elite Special Task Force of Greece (EP.OM.E.A.) – branches of Thessaloniki, Aigaleo, Sintiki, Boeotia, Velo (Corinth) and Larissa – has collected various food items with the assistance of other Greek NGOs (such as KIPODA) and the general public. The Greek team took responsibility of the financial necessities to transfer the donated loads to Serbia. The donations were distributed among those in need, between Serbia, with the assistance of the Serbian Rescue Team, and Bosnia.

The Greek team would like to show its appreciation to the Serbian Rescue Team president, Mr Danilo Budimir, and to Mr John Koudouna, representative of GPA in Greece, for their cooperation. Above all, sincere thanks goes to all the EP.OM.E.A. volunteers who have for the second time showed such effort to assist those in need in the neighbouring countries. It is with each individual’s efforts that this mission was made possible.

Another similar mission will be taking place in 15 days’ time and the collected items will be sent to provide humanitarian assistance to a part of the Bulgarian community.

This mission was accomplished under the auspices of EURO SAR – The European Association of Civil Protection Volunteer Teams.