Humanitarian aid for migrants is being prepared for dispatch from the Vitebsk region
Public organizations have taken on the role of organizing specific, effective assistance to people who have become hostages of circumstances. All humanitarian aid that is currently coming from the Vitebsk region for migrants is coordinated by the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society.
– There are about 4,000 migrants in the neutral zone at the moment, including many women and children, – Galina Petrovna told a correspondent during a meeting. – Tents and generators for heating have been set up there. In recent days, the flow of humanitarian aid from all over the republic has increased. Coordinators are involved in sorting it, including our colleagues from the Grodno Regional Organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, its chairperson Natalia Tolkacheva, and the Secretary General of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, Dmitry Shevtsov.
I want to say that the people of Vitebsk have once again proven how kind-hearted, responsive, and humane they can be. In just one day, we collected 1 ton of cargo! It's mainly clothes, and we are not aiming to collect shoes, because it's impossible to please everyone with them, it's very difficult to choose them. But the most reliable thing is to help with a variety of warm clothing that will suit everyone.
Indeed, both numerous townspeople, families, and enterprises and organizations of Vitebsk and the region responded to the announced campaign to collect humanitarian aid. This is primarily the regional organization of the NGO "Belarusian Union of Women," whose activists handed over the first large batch of aid for migrants – hygiene items, food, warm clothes. Enterprises, business representatives, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, healthcare and education institutions also responded. For example, more than 100 warm blankets were collected at VSU named after P. M. Masherov.
The city organization of the Red Cross Society was designated as the collection point for humanitarian aid.
— As the container fills up, we empty it, sort the items, and pack them into separate bags: clothes for children, men, women, hygiene products, and so on, — explains Mikhail Gusachenko, chairman of the city Red Cross organization, on site. — There are so many items that we also lay them out on shelves inside the building.
As we were talking, a car drove into the yard, and its owner took two large plastic bags out of the trunk, which he then put into the container. When asked to identify himself, the man smiled and replied that charity, in fact, does not tolerate noise; it should be quiet, but from the bottom of one's heart. — Currently, we have collected enough clothes, — says Galina Zhelanova. — The only thing we can share are warm items like woolen mittens, socks, and hats. Warm blankets and sleeping bags are also in demand. The most pressing need remains for food products, of course, non-perishable ones: pasta, canned goods; if milk, then condensed or concentrated; if baked goods, then rusks, gingerbread, cookies. Tea and coffee can also be donated. By the way, we contacted the Glubokoye Dairy and Canning Plant, where they provided us with condensed milk for shipment to migrants, and for ease of use, not in metal cans, but in tubes with lids. The Tolochin Canning Plant also responded and will supply juices.
A cargo weighing 3 tons will be sent to the Grodno region on Thursday, November 18.
— I would like to specifically mention baby food, — added Galina Zhelanova. — A collection of money has been organized for its purchase.
The chairperson of the regional organization, Galina Zhelanova, said that a representative from our region is currently in the Grodno region – a rapid response specialist for emergency situations, Dmitry Rachkovsky. Daily telephone contact is maintained with him, so information about all the latest events is received, as they say, firsthand.
– There are about 4,000 migrants in the neutral zone at the moment, including many women and children, – Galina Petrovna told a correspondent during a meeting. – Tents and generators for heating have been set up there. In recent days, the flow of humanitarian aid from all over the republic has increased. Coordinators are involved in sorting it, including our colleagues from the Grodno Regional Organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, its chairperson Natalia Tolkacheva, and the Secretary General of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, Dmitry Shevtsov.
I want to say that the people of Vitebsk have once again proven how kind-hearted, responsive, and humane they can be. In just one day, we collected 1 ton of cargo! It's mainly clothes, and we are not aiming to collect shoes, because it's impossible to please everyone with them, it's very difficult to choose them. But the most reliable thing is to help with a variety of warm clothing that will suit everyone.
Indeed, both numerous townspeople, families, and enterprises and organizations of Vitebsk and the region responded to the announced campaign to collect humanitarian aid. This is primarily the regional organization of the NGO "Belarusian Union of Women," whose activists handed over the first large batch of aid for migrants – hygiene items, food, warm clothes. Enterprises, business representatives, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, healthcare and education institutions also responded. For example, more than 100 warm blankets were collected at VSU named after P. M. Masherov.
The city organization of the Red Cross Society was designated as the collection point for humanitarian aid.
A large container has been installed at 43 Pravdy Street (in the courtyard of Secondary School No. 28), where anyone can bring humanitarian aid. It is accepted daily, on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:30, without a lunch break, and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00. Phone number: 24-64-81.
— As the container fills up, we empty it, sort the items, and pack them into separate bags: clothes for children, men, women, hygiene products, and so on, — explains Mikhail Gusachenko, chairman of the city Red Cross organization, on site. — There are so many items that we also lay them out on shelves inside the building.
As we were talking, a car drove into the yard, and its owner took two large plastic bags out of the trunk, which he then put into the container. When asked to identify himself, the man smiled and replied that charity, in fact, does not tolerate noise; it should be quiet, but from the bottom of one's heart. — Currently, we have collected enough clothes, — says Galina Zhelanova. — The only thing we can share are warm items like woolen mittens, socks, and hats. Warm blankets and sleeping bags are also in demand. The most pressing need remains for food products, of course, non-perishable ones: pasta, canned goods; if milk, then condensed or concentrated; if baked goods, then rusks, gingerbread, cookies. Tea and coffee can also be donated. By the way, we contacted the Glubokoye Dairy and Canning Plant, where they provided us with condensed milk for shipment to migrants, and for ease of use, not in metal cans, but in tubes with lids. The Tolochin Canning Plant also responded and will supply juices.
A cargo weighing 3 tons will be sent to the Grodno region on Thursday, November 18.
— I would like to specifically mention baby food, — added Galina Zhelanova. — A collection of money has been organized for its purchase.
For everyone who wishes to help, here is the settlement account of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society:
210010, Vitebsk, Pravdy St., 18.Phone +375212 36-61-34 vitebsk_redcross@mail.ruUNP 300201908 at the Directorate of OJSC "Belinvestbank" for the Vitebsk region,Vitebsk, Lenina St., 22Account No. BY31BLBB30150300201908001001Bank Code (BIC) BBLBBBY2Xwith the note "aid to migrants".