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For tourists at port of Piraeus it is same: with ir roll suitcases and backpacks y push through late summer warmth to investors, from here it goes to Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Crete and as islands are all hot. As it looks just a few meters furr, carefree holidaymakers certainly do not care. They do not perceive small transporter that Erwin Schrümpf controls through fray. Up to top, car is packed with relief goods: medicines, baby food, diapers, bandages, medical equipment. “At first glance, life pulsates here,” says Austrian. “But this is only façade.” For five years he has been trying to alleviate greatest distress with his association of Greek aid.
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A small park in middle of harbour area, “Here y live,” says Schrümpf. Twelve people are populating green area, but y are becoming more quickly. Some are sitting on benches, ors wander aimlessly. They come in hope of a warm meal. A little off Myrto with a wooden spoon in two large cooking pots. Once a week, 22-year-old student with some fellow students is building a gas cooker here, today young people cook chicken in lemon sauce, and re is rice and green salad. “We started two years ago to supply refugees, who were n stranded in thousands at port of Piraeus,” says Myrto.
The refugees are long gone, y now live in state camps on outskirts of city. The Greek homeless have remained. “And it’s becoming more and more,” says Schrümpf. 500 sleeping bags have already distributed his club. Of those who come to dinner today, he knows exactly: “For many here it is only hot meal of week.”
Makis is also hungry. “32 years I went to sea,” says 61-year-old, “last on a ferry. 2013 shipping company went bankrupt, since n I am unemployed. ” When last savings were exhausted after two years, Makis also lost his apartment. Now he lives at port, which he owns, fits in his backpack. In four years, sailor hopes for a pension: “It won’t be much, maybe 400 euros, but hopefully that’s enough for a roof over your head.”
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Greece has lost more than a quarter of its economic power since onset of 2009 crisis. More than 150,000 small and medium sized companies were broken. The unemployment rate rose from 7% to 27 percent. Unemployment benefits are paid in Greece for a maximum of one year, and re is no basic security such as Hartz IV. Therefore, loss of workplace is often only a small step in poverty and homelessness.
In statistics, Greece has now made turnaround: 2017 will grow economy again. Loans of more than 250 billion euros have been in country since 2010. But y were mainly used to refinance debts and to save banks – no money has been paid to population. According to a survey in summer, two out of three Greeks were worried that ir financial situation would worsen furr in next twelve months.
Erwin Schrümpf in conversation with homeless in Piraeus © Gerd Caver
“People are exhausted and despondent,” says Schrümpf. The Salzburg founded its club 2012 after a television documentary about conditions in Greek hospitals had moved deeply: “The next morning I started to beg for donations from local companies – and was surprised how spontaneously helpfulness. ” Shortly reafter, Schrümpf gave up his well-going business with EDP accessories, today he dedicates himself entirely to project: almost every month he and his 40 volunteers commute between Austria and Greece. Heavy goods are transported by trailer, lighter as drugs come in small vans: Every year around 100 tonnes of relief supplies come toger. “The need does not diminish, it is getting bigger,” says Schrümpf.
The Austrian is already on road again with his Ford Transit, it goes from Piraeus to or end of Ans. Elena and Penelope are waiting in municipal social ambulance in district of Dafni. The young women manage facility, which also includes a pharmacy that dispenses free medicines to needy. Four large packages have brought Schrümpf this time – donations from companies and doctors patterns.
