The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Turkey earthquake: Survivors need shelter...[ 2517 ]

Turkey earthquake: Red Cross says survivors need shelter

Survivors at the Red Crescent camp in Ercis

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The Red Crescent has set up camps to house homeless survivors

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Thousands of survivors left homeless by the earthquake that hit eastern Turkey are in desperate need of shelter, a UK disaster response expert has warned.

Some 2,000 buildings collapsed after Sunday's 7.2-magnitude tremor, which killed at least 460 people.
More are afraid to go home and stuck outside in freezing temperatures, said Katy Attfield of the British Red Cross.
The charity is supporting the Turkish Red Crescent, after Turkey's government said it would accept foreign aid.
"The area affected is mountainous, it's freezing, and making sure survivors have protection against the elements is vital for keeping them safe," said Ms Attfield, who is head of disaster management.
Almost 500 aftershocks have led to fears more buildings will collapse, leaving many people scared to stay inside.
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Shipments looted

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The Red Crescent is distributing tents, stoves, sleeping bags, food and water and has set up camps in a stadium in Ercis - one of the cities worst affected by the quake which struck the province of Van.
However, it has reported having 17 trucks looted as some survivors fought over shipments of aid.
Cornish charity ShelterBox also has a team in Turkey, working with the Red Crescent to deliver emergency tents and survival equipment.
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Turkish ministers had initially insisted the country could cope with impact of the earthquake but ministers have now requested prefabricated housing and containers from other countries, as well as help with reconstruction.
Meanwhile, health officials are warning people to drink bottled water after detecting an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases.

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