Greek Consulates,

Relief for Haiti,

Misirlou

The Greek Consulates of both Los Angeles and San Francisco recently welcomed its newcomers. Coinciding with the celebration of Greek Independence Day (March 25), the HJ’s Mavis Manus introduces us to them in this month’s issue as they each embark on their next four-year term.

Elizabeth Fotiadou was born in Athens. Her parents were children of immigrants from Asia Minor. Her first posting was as an attaché with the Greek Consulate in Sydney, Australia where she stayed for five years. “I love it here and so does my husband,” she offers about her new post in Los Angeles. “It’s an exciting city.” To learn more, you will find her interview on page 4.

Ioannis Andreades was born in Yiannitsa where his parents still reside. He joined the diplomatic service of Greece in 1983, serving in the Central Service of the Ministry at the Directorate for bilateral economic relations before posting as Consul in Adelaide-South Australia. “It is a very active community,” he shares about his impressions of San Francisco, “its members excel in many fields of life and sciences; they have a very friendly attitude towards the Greek Consulate.” Andreades’ Q & A with Manus appears on page 5.

The victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti are still in need of urgent care, food and basic supplies. The International Christian Charities (IOCC) has responded to treat the sick and injured in Haiti with a shipment of critically-needed medicines and hospital supplies which are expected to assist 45,000. Their work does not stop there. For the complete story and to learn how you can help, please see page 7.

Did You Say Dance? columnist Athan Karras takes us through a delightful history lesson this month on the song Misirlou, which “has proven to be an international success story.” I invite you to turn to page 10 and play your own musical rendition in the background as you enjoy the evolution of Misirlou.

Finally, with Easter falling early this year (April 4), the HJ moves its annual tradition of sharing your Easter Greetings to the April issue. To participate, please turn to page 6 where you will find a coupon with complete details.

Frosene Phillips

IOCC and MTI Deliver Critical Medical Aid to Suffering Haitians

Baltimore, Md. (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has responded to the urgent need for medical supplies and basic medications to treat the injured and sick in Haiti with a shipment of critically-needed medicines and hospital supplies expected to assist over 45,000 Haitians.

The assistance, delivered today to King's Hospital in Port-au-Prince, is worth more than $1.2 million and was provided by IOCC's long standing partner, Medical Teams International (MTI). The supplies will help to meet some of the urgent demand for antibiotics, anesthesia medications for surgery and pain medications.

"It has been a heart-rending week of loss and suffering for the people of Haiti," said IOCC Executive Director and CEO, Constantine M. Triantafilou. "We pray that the shipment of these medicines will help stem the further loss of life from injuries and will provide comfort to the suffering."

Help Speed Relieve to Haiti

Providing medical supplies and medical care remains one of the highest priorities in Haiti where people's lives are now threatened because there is not enough surgical or trauma care.

In January, the IOCC participated in an airlift that included water purification and sanitation equipment for 10,000 people and 500 family tents. IOCC, the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and member of the ACT Alliance, is continuing to work with partners to identify unmet needs for emergency aid that will sustain survivors of the January 12 earthquake.

You can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Haiti Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, visit iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.