Improving Food Security in Greece
IOCC’s humanitarian work has spanned operations in more than 60 countries. A core sector of that work is improving food security for struggling families—and Greece is one of the places where IOCC is currently focusing its efforts.
The long-lasting effects of Greece’s economic crisis, along with increased food costs because of the conflict in Ukraine, and the wildfires and catastrophic flooding last summer across central Greece have all drastically impacted already strained budgets. Even families with reliable incomes are having trouble affording staple food items.
IOCC provided hot meals and basic services for people affected by last summer’s flooding. Many lost everything: their homes, their farms, and their businesses. IOCC is working to help families in flood-affected Central Greece and throughout the entire country—like Sotiria’s.
Sotiria is the mother of four children between the ages of 3 and 11. Though she is a trained pediatric nurse, Sotiria was unemployed for many years and just recently began a new job as a school nurse. Her family receives one of the 1,500 monthly parcels of dry food staples that are provided by IOCC and partner organization Apostoli and distributed through parishes in central Athens.
“The needs with four children are so many,” Sotiria said, “and the food parcel helps my family meet our basic nutritional needs. I’m grateful for your support, as it’s the only help I receive. I pray God blesses your work as you help so many people.”
For families like Sotiria’s and many others across the world, IOCC remains committed to improving access to healthy and nutritious foods.
