A child in Greece, who escaped with his family the wildfires in Attica, painted his house being engulfed in flames. This is the horror that children are faced with in Greece, President of the "Smile of the Child" organisation in Greece, Kostas Giannopoulos told CNA, as thousands are being evacuated and one woman lost her life with flames spreading through Athens suburbs since Sunday.

Five members of the organisation, together with five volunteers of the Support CY organisation from Cyprus, are operating on Tuesday in the fire-stricken areas of Attica to record the needs of the people and address them. 

Head of Support CY, Marios Stavrou told CNA that the instructions they received from the competent authorities is to record the needs in the fire-stricken area of Nea Makri to Penteli by noon and afterwards they will receive new orders.

Stavrou said that the Cypriot team also carries fire-fighting equipment, if and when needed for a small resurgence. Members of the team have a firefighting certificate from the Fire Service, he said, while others have attended firefighting training courses in Greece as well.

He noted that Support CY responded yesterday to the "Smile of the Child" crisis response plan in Greece, with which they have been cooperating for years.

The Support CY and "Smile of the Child" cooperation, he explained, goes back years in crisis management and recalled that the two organisations had also cooperated in the catastrophic fires in Mati, northern Evia, in the floods in Thessalia last year and elsewhere.

When in Cyprus we needed help, they also responded and sent help, he said.

"We are available for as long as needed", Stavrou added, saying that their goal is to record the first needs in the areas assigned to them and depending on the needs the composition of the team will change or will remain the same.

Meanwhile, Giannopoulos said that they may not be on the front line, but they provide support both to the victims of the fire and to the families and people who have been affected.

The organisation, he stressed, was forced to evacuate as a precaution the building it owns in Melissia area with 17 children.

"The disaster is a big one. It's the first time something like this is happening in Athens," he said.

He added that what is needed now is mainly first aid items.

He thanked the Support CY team and the Bank of Cyprus for their help and support, noting that they worked together in past natural disasters in Attica, Evia and elsewhere.

This collaboration, he said, is an effort that is paying off "and makes us feel proud".

"Thank you Cyprus and to everyone who helps and supports us".