Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

[John Smith]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

I'm not sure what the proper thing to do is. I fear the democracies are providing enough help so it takes longer for Putin to occupy Ukraine. Will the people of Ukraine ever be able to push his people out without outside help?

Perhaps WWIII is now inevitiaable, or Putin takes control of Ukraine, if not immediately, but eventually.

[Concordia...41]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

The number of refugees has already exceeded one million. Half of them came to Poland, but it's Moldova that is under most stress when comparing to country size. Both states are starting to have issues finding/creating accommodation fast enough, even though preparations have started weeks before the murderers struck. It's literally freezing outside, Ukrainians can't be sleeping in tents the way things were organised in the Middle East. It was estimated that total number of refugees should reach between 1 and 5 million. The first million hit in a week. The first response is wonderful, long term support capabilities are still not fully known.
The refugees can travel by train for free in (chronologically) Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Poland and Germany. We've also cleaned and reactivated an abandoned train line leading to a smaller border crossing this week. Points of first contact in Poland are not having supply issues right now. Aid inside Ukraine is still flowing, unfortunately Kiev and Kharkov are cut off. Most of aid flows through various sized trucks, Czechia has also organised a passenger-cargo train sending help in one way and collecting people in the other. Sooner or later word "relocation" will need to be discussed. UK offers 200k places, Sweden on the other hand said they did enough in 2015.
Refugee help coordination points are now, at least here, crystallized. We're transforming from a self created swarm to centralized, reputable, recognizable points. In case of Poznań, the number seems to have solidified on closely cooperating three. Most of the others still function, but no longer arrange everything separately. Good, it will prevent information chaos and should improve overall efficiency.
Ukrainians are also eligible to free COVID tests and free vaccines. I've also heard of several kids that are already admitted to primary schools. Ukrainian refugees can legally stay in Poland no questions asked, however those that can document arriving Feb 24th onward will be eligible to social programs. This includes 100€ aid for each kid in the family (200€ if kid is under 2). The ministry is also preparing changes in work laws, facilitating Ukrainians to enter the legal workforce. Since 2014 a lot of them migrated to Poland, estimates vary between 200k and 1500k. Estimates are very rough since many couldn't/wouldn't work legally. Changing this benefits everyone. We also see that Ukrainians do indeed feel themselves okay in Poland, as few migrate further west. The challenge is to absorb the sudden influx and support it until Putin loses or they get on own feet.

All good lessons on how to treat refugees. The US should take note, but unfortunately they won't.

Thank you, Martin, and all that are helping on the ground there.

-M

[lupussonic]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Ive been networking at a refugee centre in Opole all morning. I've made some good contacts but it is clear that to find those most in need in need to get to the border. Heading off now, probably to Przemysl. I've been trying for 2 days to pronounce it, not much progress.

Miko, check your pms. Let's talk soon. I'm driving now.

[WszystekPoTrochu]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

My PM box is empty, unless you're talking about Alicja. Who redirected me to Maciej. Who assured you know what and where to do

[lupussonic]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

[Ted Hoppe]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

What an effort. What a story. So glad you found a way to post the video. let us know what we can do. Can we venmo or paypal you some cash for gas or food, for the things you will need to carry on. Again be safe and wise. Thank you again.

[lupussonic]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Thanks Ted.

One thing that has struck me deeply is the strength of the Scouting organisation here and their cross border connections. Completely astonishing and I feel part of the movement again, even though I'm an old bugger. They are fully mobilised and are working really hard in this humanitarian crisis.

I don't know how to organise a system for donations as well as run it while I'm here. Apart from feeling awkward for asking as I know many people have already donated, I don't have time to manage it. A border run burns about 100 euros of diesel with Polish prices (about 1000 km round trip) if I can transport 6 people at a time, that's around 16 pp. I can not sustain that for long as i have had only 300 given to me from friends in Germany and my main German card does not work here, dammit.

Having said that, I just got notifications of 2 donations for a hundred each on the back if that video, so... Awesome.

Maybe I'll post my PayPal address if I'm getting short. Thanks for that consideration.

M

[WszystekPoTrochu]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

I told they won't trust a stranger at the border Happy that you did find someone that not only trusted you, but helped convince others. A hi-vis jacket and especially an ID from Opole centre is a good idea.
Two of three major carsharing companies lend cars for free. I'll PM you the details. This should help with budgeting, if they have vacant resources (they definitely did not during this weekend)

Even though I thought I know what Polish Scouts are capable of and I did send you to them, I still am very impressed with how well organised and capable they are. Truly wonderful.

I have never heard about sh.theads trying to extort money. I did hear about elevated human trafficking threat. Either way, women being wary of strangers is sad but necessary. Evil thrives in hard times.

P.S. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...emyśl.ogg

[Concordia...41]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Sad, heartbreaking, frustrating, so many things.

Thank you for trying to help. Keep us posted when you can, and let us know how to help.

Stepping up for friends and strangers is one of the strengths of the WBF.

-M

[Norman Bernstein]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

There are so many charitable organizations involved in the relief for Ukraine, it's really hard to choose... it's tough to rank the needs in any semblance of order: charities that provide clothing to refugees? Housing? Jobs? Transportation? Medical care?

I decided to pick just one, knowing that all are receiving contributions, and that every little bit helps. My choice: World Central Kitchen, the charity organized by chef Jose Andres. His notion is that in a humanitarian crisis, amongst all other needs, the displaced and dispossessed need... wait for it... chefs. A warm, nutritious meal might provide only temporary solace to a refugee, but is nonetheless both necessary and worthwhile. As of last week, Chef Andres was in Poland, moving bags of flour across the Ukranian border, where food staples are increasingly scarce.

wck.org

[WszystekPoTrochu]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Not your everyday kind of help: a colleague from my corp went on the border this weekend. Ended up delivering a baby on the roadside

[lupussonic]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Bravo! ^^

5 adults (1 old man, 1 lady with cerebral palsy, 3 other women, 2 small girls and a cat delivered safely from Hrubeiszow to Opole last night. Almost 2000km round trip.





Kaspar.


The last 48 hours were crazy. I slept in my van at Hrubeiszow, it was - 6c. Really wish I installed that woodstove.

Route.jpg

[birlinn]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Keep at it. Lupu, and keep us posted.
Do you need funds?

[lupussonic]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Thanks for asking Birlinn. I'm trying to access PL state funds. If no result, I'll post my PayPal address and hope for the best.

Day off today for vehicle checks and maintenance, and some rest.

Another border run tomorrow, to Zocin.

[WszystekPoTrochu]

Re: Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians

Lviv, a city of ~700k inhabitants, hosts around 200k of the internally displaced. The government is fully concentrated on the war effort, not helping to support that mass of people.