The Vitebsk regional branch of the Red Cross has dispatched humanitarian aid to the border of the Gomel region and Ukraine. It will be handed over via the Gomel regional organisation of the Belarusian Red Cross. The final destination of the cargo, which consists of two tonnes of food and sanitary and hygiene products, is the border village of Poddobryanka, where a tent camp of the Belarusian Red Cross has been set up.

The Vitebsk regional branch of the Red Cross has dispatched humanitarian aid to the border of the Gomel region and Ukraine. It will be handed over via the Gomel regional organisation of the Belarusian Red Cross. The final destination of the cargo, which consists of two tonnes of food and sanitary and hygiene products, is the border village of Poddobryanka, where a tent camp of the Belarusian Red Cross has been set up.

 Galina Zhelanova, Chairperson of the Vitebsk regional branch of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, shares the details:

– Humanitarian aid is intended for citizens of Ukraine who have crossed the border in search of a peaceful, quiet life in our country. To support these adults and children during this difficult time for them, we are sending sanitary and hygiene kits, baby food and biscuits, and canned vegetables to Poddobryanka. Thank you to all the sponsors who responded and helped: the public association "Belaya Rus", Vitebskhlebprom OJSC, BelFood Production private enterprise, Vitebskmyasomolmrom OJSC! We will be grateful to all residents of our region who decide to transfer charitable donations to the settlement account of the Red Cross. The money will certainly become targeted assistance to those who are especially in need now.

According to Galina Petrovna, only recently 21 citizens of Ukraine have been registered in the Vitebsk region who applied to the migration service for additional protection.

And that's not all, the interlocutor continues:

– We have also been approached by 14 people who can stay in Belarus for 30 days without refugee status. Some of them need medications, such as insulin. All these issues need to be resolved promptly, and serious work is underway. In 2014, 7,000 Ukrainians came to the Vitebsk region, about half of whom have integrated and call our country their second home. Now, relatives and acquaintances are coming to them from the zone of armed conflict.

The Red Cross assists both those heading to Belarus via the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainians who are purposefully travelling to the Vitebsk region through Poland and the Brest region. All of them require basic amenities, clothing, food, and shelter…

So far, only one family has approached the Red Cross for accommodation. The people are in a state of shock, shares Galina Petrovna:

– Of course, they need support, which we are providing. I am very impressed by the openness and compassion of the residents of the Vitebsk region. Imagine, they write letters to us at the Red Cross expressing their willingness to host refugees from Ukraine. Every line conveys sincere sympathy and a genuine desire to help. Is this not the best example of the great heart of Belarusians and that at any, even the darkest, time, the main thing is to remain human!

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by