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Greek Red Cross: Touching message of the pilot who carried the mission to Venezuelatranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

A unique and particularly touching moment was experienced by the volunteer Samaritans - Rescuers of the Hellenic Red Cross (E.E.S.) on their flight from Panama to Venezuela to support the earthquake victims of the country. The plane's pilot thanked them over the plane's loudspeakers for their enormous humanitarian contribution and commitment to providing their valuable services to the struggling people of Venezuela. The warm applause of the passengers at the end of the announcement is the greatest reward for the volunteers of the Hellenic Red Cross who participate in the longest manpower mission in the history of the Greek Red Cross.

What the pilot said in detail: "Thank you for traveling with us today to Venezuela. Your mission goes far beyond achieving a journey. Bring hope with you by offering help as you work to save lives. Your courage, dedication and personal commitment to giving to other people inspires us all. Please allow us to acknowledge and thank each woman and each man for their extraordinary dedication to humanity. Welcome…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Петър Димитров

Well done to the pilot for hailing them over the loudspeaker - that's a real recognition. One can see how far these Red Cross volunteers go, all the way to Venezuela after the earthquake. I hope their help reaches exactly where it needs to go.

Xenia Davis

It's nice the pilot took the time to thank them over the speakers like that. Those volunteers are flying halfway around the world after the earthquake – hope the supplies and help actually reach the families who need it most in Venezuela.

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დავით ბერიძე

Браво на пилота, че им благодари по вышеверя – this is a rare thing. Volunteers are going to Venezuela after the earthquake, this is not a close trip. I hope that their help will really reach the people who lost their homes.

Juliana King

Yeah, that pilot's announcement was a classy touch. As a nurse I've seen how much those long-haul volunteer trips wear people out, so the applause must've meant a lot. Hope the Greek Red Cross team gets the meds and gear straight to the hardest-hit families too.

هلا عبود

It was nice that the pilot thanked them from the microphone, especially since the flight was such a long time from Panama to Venezuela after the earthquake. The applause at the end certainly gave them a morale boost. May God bring help to people who lost their homes.

Софья Воробьёва

Well done that the pilot thanked them right from the cockpit, it’s really touching. Our Samaritans are flying so far after the earthquake, and the passengers were also clapping - this is real support. If only everything they were carrying could reach those who lost their homes.

Василий Новиков

It’s good that the pilot was not lazy and announced over the loudspeaker. These volunteers from the Greek Red Cross are flying halfway around the world after an earthquake, and the passengers were also clapping at the end. I hope that medicine and help will reach those families in Venezuela who have lost their homes.

Людмила Зайцева

I agree, Vasily, it’s good that the pilot was not lazy and said thank you out loud. The main thing is that medicines actually reach those whose houses have collapsed - in Venezuela after the earthquake, many families are still living in tents. And our Samaritans are great for flying so far.

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ირაკლი აბაშიძე

Totally agree, David. Such sincere words of the pilot are really rare and it is good that the passengers started applauding like that. Hopefully the people there will receive the help they need to rebuild their homes.

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მარიამ მაისურაძე

I completely agree, Irakli, the pilot's words were really sincere. But hopefully, along with the reconstruction of the houses, water and food will also be provided, because in the seismic zone it is often more urgent. If you have heard, what is the situation there now?

Елена Смирнова

Yes, Vasily, the pilot acted like a human being, he was not lazy. The main thing is that after such a long journey, our guys do not encounter bureaucracy on the spot and that the help is quickly sorted out. Are you involved in any volunteer activities yourself?

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ალექსანდრე ხუციშვილი

It's true, Irakli, the pilot's words seemed really sincere. I myself often think that such a simple "thank you" means more than a big gift. Do you think that the aid received in Venezuela will be enough or should they send more?

Светлана Соловьёва

Yes, Vasily, an announcement over a loudspeaker is truly a rarity these days. I just read that this was the longest mission in the history of the Greek Red Cross, and it’s good that the passengers cheered. Have you organized anything like this in your church community to help?

Валентина Соколова

Thank you, Elena, for raising the topic of bureaucracy - indeed, after such a flight it would be a shame to get stuck in paperwork. The main thing is that medicines and help reach people quickly. But in our church in Voronezh I help with knitting warm clothes for those in need, my hands are no longer the same, but the work is familiar. What do you do as a volunteer?