The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias made the following statement, on Friday, 8 September 2023, about the assistance provided by the Armed Forces during the recent storm

“I would like, at first, to express my deepest sorrow for the people who lost their lives during the recent unprecedented storm. I express my condolences to their families, as well as the condolences of all the Chiefs and the personnel of the Armed Forces.

I would like also to express my sympathy to the residents of the struck areas, about the destruction of their properties and the infrastructure at their places of residence.

However, I also have to express my gratitude to the women and the men of the Armed Forces, because, under extremely adverse conditions, they fulfilled the orders they had been given to provide assistance to our fellow citizens, with professionalism and devotion to their duties.

I wish to assure the Greek people that the Armed Forces will continue to provide assistance, wherever they are called on by the National Coordination Centre for Crisis Management of the Ministry for the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, and in cooperation with other competent authorities. As provided for under the current legislation, they were put on readiness as of Wednesday evening. There was not any delay.

Our country’s Armed Forces will be, also in the future, on full readiness, to be at the service of the people and citizens, if any similar emergencies emerge.

In any case, the Armed Forces will continue to perform their duty, as part of the Greek society, as well as its protector.

Thank you”.