Mass mobilization a sign of hope
The devastating wildfires in the Peloponnese have left disaster in their wake but, at the same time, also signs of hope. The mobilization of the Greek public, which has rushed to help the fire victims, is unprecedented. The size of private donations has so far climbed to 300 million euros, which is actually bigger than the emergency aid offered by the European Commission. But such material aid – the bulk of which is coming from companies – is just one aspect of the mobilization. The other is the burgeoning wave of volunteers. Ordinary people were moved by the disaster that struck their fellow citizens and have put themselves at the service of non-governmental organizations aiming to reconstruct and regenerate the afflicted regions. One hopes that the catastrophe and the public mobilization that followed will give rise to a renewed sense of self-awareness, an environmental conscience that will encourage prevention rather than after-the-fact response.
