Team Rubicon’s Impact in Greece
Volunteers Spent Eight Months Providing Primary Medical Care to the Refugee Population in Northern Greece
Over the last few years, thousands of refugees made their way to Europe to flee ongoing conflict and instability in the Middle East. The influx placed a tremendous strain on public assistance programs, leaving the refugee population extremely vulnerable.
On May 22, 2016, Team Rubicon launched Operation Hermes to provide much-needed medical care to refugees in northern Greece with financial support from American Express. In total, 97 Team Rubicon volunteers from around the world answered the call to serve over the course of eight months. This was their impact:
“I witnessed a group of people, each of us with our own egos and insecurities, potentially separated by religious, ethical, and cultural values, transcend to a higher form and come together for a greater good.”
Mary Corder, Nurse Practitioner
“After my deployment, I had a greater understanding of the plight that the refugees faced, and felt the need to do more, to continue to help in whatever capacity possible.”
Lisa Smith, U.S. Air Force veteran
“It was an experience unlike any other. The chance to listen and have a brief glimpse into the lives of the people surrounding me who had given up and lost almost everything is life-changing.”
Lloyd Weema,U.S. Army veteran
Born with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, 7-year-old Lena took her first steps at the clinic with the support of volunteer medical professionals at a refugee camp in northern Greece.
Team Rubicon received critical support from the following international humanitarian organizations and individuals:
- The Radcliffe Foundation provided refugee camp managers
- Together For Better Days and Emergency Response Centre International provided camp facilitators
- Médecins du Monde provided psychology and psychiatry services
- Terre Des Homme provided psychological support for children
- Rowing Together provided monthly OBGYN care
- Nurture Project International provided post-natal support
- Health Point Foundation provided monthly dental care to residents
- Médecins Sans Frontières provided flu vaccines
- Greek hospital referral manager Katerina Xafini helped coordinate requests through the Greek healthcare system
- Panagiotis and Marianna Flessas provided local pharmacy support
In January 2017, Team Rubicon transferred primary care support to Kitrinos Healthcare, a local non-profit organization providing high quality healthcare to refugees in Greece. It was an incredible honor to serve this resilient community alongside other humanitarian organizations.
Learn how Team Rubicon is serving communities across the world by visiting teamrubiconusa.org.
