On Monday, June 12th, 2017 the Greek island of Lesbos was hit with a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, which has left the island devastated and its residents in need of immediate assistance. Local authorities have already declared a state of emergency on the island since Tuesday, and initial reports claim that one woman is confirmed dead, ten injured, and more than 800 people displaced.

In the small village of Vrissa, its Mayor, Spyros Gallinos, has been quoted saying that the village looked as if it has been “flattened by bombs”. At a time when Greece is still suffering economic hardships and struggling to cope with a growing refugee crisis. The Greek people, now more than ever, need the world to look deep into its heart and come to the aid of the birthplace of democracy and western values.

This is why the American Hellenic Council is launching the #PrayForLesbos campaign to raise funds to help those Greeks in need. All donations will be hand delivered by AHC directly to relief agencies on the ground in Lesbos.