Emergency Response & Recovery

In times of crisis — wildfires, floods, pandemics, earthquakes — our first priority is to stand by those affected, swiftly and meaningfully. Desmos mobilizes within hours to address urgent needs and to coordinate the flow of donations from individuals, companies, and institutions in the most effective and transparent way.

Specifically, we actively support volunteer forest firefighting teams and organisations on the front line of crises, providing the essential equipment and resources they need to respond quickly and effectively.

Crisis management does not end with the first wave of aid. We also focus on recovery — rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening local communities, and helping people return to normalcy. We act with transparency and accountability, keeping donors and partners informed every step of the way — because trust is essential, especially when everything around us is changing rapidly.

Selected initiatives:

East Attica Wildfires (2018–2023): From immediate relief to long-term recovery, including the reconstruction and development of 7 sports and community facilities, wildfire prevention works, and support to strengthen the operational readiness of local emergency response teams.

COVID-19 (2020–2023): Nationwide response to the needs created by the pandemic, including the distribution of more than 2.25 million masks to 280 non-profit organisations, alongside medical and protective equipment, food and essential supplies for hospitals and social welfare organisations.

Northern Evia Wildfires (2021-2025): A multi-year response spanning healthcare, education, employment and local infrastructure, supporting 4 healthcare facilities and 9 schools, creating 8 jobs, and implementing projects designed to strengthen affected communities.

Southeastern Turkey Earthquake (2023): In Desmos’ first international response, we helped provide safe accommodation for families who had lost their homes, through 33 fully equipped housing units with capacity for up to 198 people.

Thessaly Floods (2023–2025): From the immediate distribution of 96 pallets of essential supplies to longer-term recovery, providing equipment for affected households and supporting 16 schools, healthcare facilities and remote communities across the region.

Volunteer Firefighting Support Program (2022–2026): Nationwide support for 71 volunteer teams and 2,888 volunteers, providing high-standard operational equipment alongside training and wildfire prevention activities.

Chios Wildfires (2025-2026): Support for 70 beekeepers and 5,846 beehives through 29.7 tonnes of bee feed covering three critical winter months, alongside operational equipment for 8 volunteer firefighting teams.

We distinguish 3 levels in our response:

The first 24 hours to address immediate and urgent needs.

Mid-term to address needs for relief and support for those affected.

Long-term to develop recovery actions and projects as well as prevention programs.

Finally, through the Emergency Fund, Desmos maintains a dedicated rapid response mechanism that allows us to address the most urgent needs from the earliest hours of a crisis. We then mobilise our network of donors and partners to transform immediate relief into coordinated, sustainable recovery efforts.