Almi Tankers joined the initiative by ‘Synenosis’, the Greek Shipowners’ Social Welfare Company to collect 50 million euros to support the region of Thessaly after the devastating storm “Daniel” in September 2023. Thousands of people lost their homes and businesses completely, while others suffered extensive damage, requiring long and costly rehabilitation work. The start of the school year was impossible for tens of thousands of children, while the affected municipalities were trying to restore children’s access to school in different time frames, depending on the damage suffered in each area. At the same time, a large number of dead animals were recorded, while an epidemiological crisis already occurred, with many cases of gastroenteritis and respiratory infections. The floods dealt a huge blow to livestock and agricultural production not only for the region but also for the whole country.
The President of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), Melina Travlos, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (December 2023) with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, Christos Staikouras, and the CEO of the Company “Ktiriakes Ypodomes S.A.” Athanasios Giannaris for the restoration of all damaged schools in Thessaly and Central Greece, which were seriously affected by the recent catastrophic floods. The signing of the Memorandum at the Ministry was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure & Transportation, Nikos Tachiaos, the President of the BoD of “Ktiriakes Ypodomes S.A.,” Timoleon Katsipos, as well as the Vice-President of the BoD of UGS, Michael Chandris and the Treasurer of the BoD of UGS, John Xylas. The President of the UGS, Melina Travlos, mentioned during the signing that UGS and Greek shipping has been a supporter of education and they are proud to undertake the restoration of all 33 schools which were affected. This is the first project to be effected with part of the donation, more projects to follow with the remainder of the Union of Greek Shipowners donation.
(https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ugsgr_ugs-melinatravlos-ministryofinfrastructureandtransportation-activity-7143322986656292866-drvv, https://www.unicef.org/greece/en/thessaly-catastrophic-floods)