Hellenic Olympic Committee launch refugee support programme

The Hellenic Olympic Committee has launched a refugee support programme ©HOC

The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) has become the latest body to pledge help to the refugee crisis by launching a support programme, with reports claiming the Greek Government could also establish a permanent centre at the Olympic Velodrome of Athens.

According to German publication Der Spiegel, the facility, used during the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games, could become a home to refugees pending Government approval.

It follows the use of 2004 Olympic gymnastics venue in Galatsi as a shelter for refugees, which has been hosting huge flows of migrants since the end of September.

The HOC became aware that the venue was in urgent need of supplies such as blankets, sheets, towels, shoes and toys, and the governing body were able to provide a significant amount of the required material, delivering them to the facility .

The donation of much-needed goods came after the first phase of the HOC refugee support programme, which included the organisation delivering basketball courts to a refugee camp at Elaionas, located at the heart of Athens.

Various sporting equipment, including basketball, volleyballs, footballs, as well as clothing was donated to the camp by the HOC last month.

Personal hygiene products were also given to refugees by HOC partner P&G Greece.

It has been reported that the Velodrome used at the 2004 Olympic Games has been earmarked as a potential site for a permanent refugee centre ©Getty Images

Five other European National Olympic Committees (NOCs) - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and Slovenia - have all initiated projects to help with the refugee crisis - using part of the $2 million (£1.3 million/€1.8 million) in emergency funds provided by the International Olympic Committee.

These included sporting initiatives, providing humanitarian aid such as food and water and supplying sporting equipment.

Their efforts came after the German Olympic Sports Confederation joined charities and human rights organisations to launch a campaign aiming to show that refugees are welcome in the nation.

The respective work of the NOCs comes in response to the crisis, which has seen refugees from the Middle East and Africa attempt to reach Europe in search of safety.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has estimated more than 300,000 refugees and migrants have attempted to reach Europe so far this year.

Around 2,600 migrants and refugees are believed to have died in making dangerous sea crossings across the Mediterranean after fleeing their homes, mainly as a result of war.