In the absence of public welfare, George Soros said he will open the first in a series of ‘solidarity centres’ to help those hit worst by Greece’s economic woes.
The centres aim to provide health and legal assistance.
Some one and a half million people, nearly 28%, in Greece are officially unemployed, but the country’s budget cuts have severely limited the provision of basic facilities, including monthly benefit payments and health insurance. People in desperate need are increasingly turning to charities for help.
The first centre in the northern city of Thessaloniki was reportedly deluged with requests from the start.
It is not the first time the financier has pitched in to help. He committed $1 million last year for heating oil after dozens of schools had to be closed for lack heating. He has also provided oil to scores of other institutions, including orphanages, nurseries, and old age homes.
Both Greek schools and hospitals have had their operating budgets slashed by 60% since the crisis began. Many school bus services have been dropped when authorities could not afford them, leaving pupils even in remote areas to walk to school.
Last week officials said applications for food assistance had also soared, amid mounting evidence of malnutrition among schoolchildren in inner city areas.
In response to some criticism of Soros’s motives for giving, Thessaloniki’s mayor said the real issue is why others are not doing the same.
"It is the fact that Greek tycoons, ship owners and those from the diaspora … don't follow his example," he said.
According to Aliki Mouriki, a sociologist at the National Centre for Social Research, the lack of philanthropy of Greece’s financial elite has been startling. "It's a terrible fact that they prefer to buy pieces of art to enrich their private collections or conduct expensive trips abroad than help those in need. The lack of compassion has been really extraordinary."
