tagged: Alexandria, Egypt, Egyptiots, emergency hot line, Greece, greek community, information about Greeks in Egypt, Mubarak, riots, telephone number, uprise, Yiannis Siokas

Greeks in Egypt: Emergency Hot Line set up as more & more wish to leave the country

Posted by keeptalkinggreece in Politics

More and more members of the Greek community in Egypt wish to leave the country feeling insecure as the situation has gone out of control in the country that experiences an unprecedented turmoil.

Were there yesterday 100 members of the Greek community of Alexandria who has applied to the Greek diplomatic authorities to go away from Egypt, today their number has doubled, Greek state television NET reported.

Greek Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that two C-130 military aircraft will be sent to Egypt to evacuate Greeks and Egyptiots (expats), however “only when the conditions allow it” i.e. when the airport of Alexandria opens and when  transport safety from the city to the airport will be guaranteed.

Social Services

President of the Greek Community of Alexandria, Yiannis Siokas, urged the community members and Greek diplomatic staff to assume  their responsibilities and facilitate the safe transit.

He has also offered the facilities of the Kaniskerio Nursing Home for any Greek feeling insecure at his home. Security, food and medical care will be provided until stability returns to Egypt, he said.

Currently there are 600 Greeks living in Alexandria, 100 of them are children. Schools are closed until further notice.

Greeks of Alexandria together with Egypt neighbors have formed local protection groups to safeguard their neighborhoods from possible looting or other criminal acts.

Emergency Hot Line

 Furthermore, the Greek community of Alexandria arranged a telephone chain to assure mutual updates. The phone number of the general secretary of the community, Dimitris Papastefanou (0123 412 669) has been designated as the emergency phone. (source: Athens news Agency)

Also anyone from Greece wishing to receive information can do so  using this number by adding the 002 dial-prefix.

However, please, take into consideration that the Mubarak regime often cuts off telephone lines, mobile phones , sms service and internet.

Greek authorities advice all Greeks living in Egypt to remain in their homes.

Armed with sticks and machetes civilians in Egypt protect their neighborhoods