Activities done by Green Cross Ukraine in terms of financial humanitarian aid from Green Cross Switzerland
Since February 24, 2022, the life of every Ukrainian has changed forever. There is a real humanitarian catastrophe in most cities and villages. There is no well-established supply of raw materials, medicines and food. Many people are in life-threatening areas and need urgent evacuation. According to WHO, the current estimated number of victims is 18 million people, of which 6.7 million are internally displaced persons as a result of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. The invasion caused a migration crisis. According to the UN, 3 million refugees fled Ukraine, including 1.4 million children.
Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH) found an opportunity to help, showed solidarity and financially supported the needy category of people in Ukraine. Thanks to a stable partnership, in 2022 Green Cross Ukraine (GCU) has been actively providing humanitarian assistance to the population suffering as a result of the invasion of Russian troops on the territory of all Ukraine. Timely consultations and negotiations had an impact on further directions in new areas for the implementation of humanitarian work in Ukraine. Regions and problematic issues were identified, which were urgently and promptly resolved thanks to coordination and agreements that had a positive impact on assistance to families and children in certain regions of Ukraine (Zhytomyr, Chernihiv regions, the city of Slavutych, the city of Kyiv and the Kyiv region).
Thanks to the support of GCCH, we can continue to work closely with local partners, regional and district administrations, educational institutions, schools, hospitals, social centres and help them in difficult times.
Green Cross Ukraine makes every effort and manages financial capability to resolve difficult situations. There is a great need to continue the activities of the organization, because through its actions Green Cross Ukraine is trying to help everyone in this difficult time.
Needy segments of the population, organizations and medical institutions, kindergartens and boarding schools apply for help.
The war on the territory of Ukraine directly affects all spheres of life, primarily the medical sector. Most hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and in need of medicines and medical equipment in order to provide all the necessary care to the population. Prenatal centres, maternity hospitals, feldsher-obstetric centres need urgent financial support to obtain the necessary medical support. The GCU Team remains in Kyiv and continues its activities, coordination and assistance to the Zhytomyr Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, despite the dangerous conditions and crisis situations. Oxygen equipment for the surgical department (1 surgical department) and medicines were purchased for the hospital.
Timely assistance was rendered to the inhabitants of Slavutych to solve a humanitarian crisis in connection to nutrition and health care. Before the military events in peacetime, the city of Slavutych was provided with bread from Kyiv and Chernihiv. Now this is impossible, since the city is separated from Kyiv and Chernihiv by Russian checkpoints. The GCU minibus was unable to reach due to military complications in the region. It was decided to organize the delivery of grain and to purchase it from local residents and entrepreneurs. 73.5 tons of grain and 21.5 tons of flour (21,545 packs of 1 kg each) were purchased and delivered to the city of Slavutych. Grinding of grain into flour was arranged. The first experimental bread baking was organized in three mini-bakeries that were not previously specialized in bread baking. Therefore, the bakeries were modernized and reconstructed. Bread baking technology has been introduced for residents of the city of Slavutych and villages, summer cottages, kindergartens and schools located nearby, the orphanage and the civilian population. In the first days, 300-320 loaves per shift were baked, after three days – 1’200-1’400 loaves of bread per shift (day), today up to 3’000 loaves per day. Bread is still not enough. Today there is no communication with the city of Slavutych, there is no electricity and water supply.
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The city of Kyiv and the Kyiv region need urgent help. Kyiv needs protection with the help of volunteers, who are not military and are trying to help their families, to protect their homes and the whole city. Nutrition and the provision of medical services, warm clothes are an important support because they are not funded by the state (hot soup, main dishes, thermoses, warm clothes, water). Families with children are hiding from shelling in bomb shelters, they require food and psychological rehabilitation, as well as warm clothes and communication with their families.
For the entire period, humanitarian assistance to the victims is provided thanks to the GCCH in war conditions and includes the organization and supply of food, the purchase of medicines and medical equipment. Crutches and medicines were purchased for the military hospital in Dnipro and Vyshgorod. There are new needs for assistance to the military hospital in Kyiv.
The GCU minibus is involved in the process of food delivery and transportation of people, both in Kiev and within Ukraine. 4 additional cars of volunteers were involved in the work.
From February 27, the work of the field kitchen was organized (2 in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv), which constantly prepare meals for the residents of the city, who stay in bomb shelters and the metro. Every day, from 80 to 120 liters of hot soups and other dishes are prepared. Lunches for volunteers have been organized at school No. 252 since February 28. Every day, 80-90 liters of hot soups and 90-120 liters of other dishes are prepared. School No. 210 (Obolonsky district) has organized a collection point for warm clothes and necessary products for the needy category of the population who cannot clothe and feed themselves.
GCU helps in the evacuation of families and disadvantaged categories of people from Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr.
Together with partners in Ukraine, a shelter was organized in Transcarpathia for refugees and displaced persons (70-80 people), who now need food and medical care. There are problems with heating at the base and power supply. It is planned to open 2 more points.
Volunteers (4), GCU coordinators (3+1 new) and partner organizations (4) from Ukraine were involved.
We are sincerely grateful to everyone who took part in our work and personally to the GCCH Team for financial support, coordination and cooperation.
Yuriy Sapiga and the GCU Team
