WASHINGTON, D.C.--Statement by AHEPA International President Ike Gulas about the devastating fires that have spread across Greece:

“We have all witnessed the incredible images of the damaging forest fires that have ravaged southern Greece.

“Currently, we are making inquiries to the government of the Hellenic Republic to explore how we can offer our resources to help the people of Greece. Also, we will outreach to the United States government and to local domestic agencies to see if we can encourage or sponsor their participation.”

The AHEPA emergency response team has been asked to mobilize the chapters in an effort to assemble care packages to be sent to the victims of this terrible environmental disaster, and additional implementations will be forthcoming.

Supreme President Ike Gulas, on behalf of the entire AHEPA family empathizes with the citizens of Greece. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost loved ones or their possessions due to this tragic event. We commend the valiant efforts of the brave forestry service firefighters and Greek soldiers who are battling these historic fires, protecting the citizens, Greece’s history and her antiquities.

“Moreover, we are grateful to Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and to all nations who continue answering Prime Minister Karamanlis’s call for international assistance by providing water-dropping aircraft.

“Finally, we hope that the individuals responsible for these deplorable acts are apprehended and brought to justice.”