Story from Ukraine Rotarian

Information from Ukraine 7/4/2022

The members son who provided the photo above has shared some reports and links to give context on needs and displaced persons. Prior to sending an email, extracts of which are below, the members son spoke to a member in the District. I have kept this a little vague to protect those involved.

Number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine. You'll see from the links to reports there are now 7.1 million IDPs in the country:

This link will bring up a comprehensive report about IDP's that is updated on a regular basis.

This link will take you further information 

I am working on the evacuation of a lady, who through suffering from a stroke last year is partially disabled. Her husband, who was her primary care giver passed away earlier this week. She is currently being looked after by her neighbour. She is Kyiv. Her daughter lives in District 1070 and contacted me to see if I can support getting her from Kyiv to District 1070. She got my number from my sisters close friend who coincidentally is her neighbour. My organisation can get the lady from the Polish border, and provide the medical escort to Rzeszow airport, as well as provide the medical escort to Luton airport (so a nurse will travel with her on the plane), where her daughter will meet her. I'm working with a local charity to do the evacuation from Kyiv to the Polish border. Due to security issues, we are going through a local partner to do this. Their website is: https://www.helpukraine22.org/  They are a non-profit, but ask for a non-mandatory donation if they are successful with the evacuation. This is one angle where Rotary could help if the evacuation takes place. 

As discussed, 80% of those in neighbouring countries wish to go home once it is safe - fingers crossed that happens soon!

Rotary International Ukraine

It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.

As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.

In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.

All Donations are combined into one fund and made available through Rotary Disaster Response Grants ultimately supported by 'The Rotary Foundation'; they cannot be directed to a specific disaster.

Disaster Response fund contributions received by April 30, 2022 will be prioritized for Ukrainian relief efforts
Disaster Response (give-star.com)

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Rotarians around the world have now contributed $13M in cash and DDF to the Disaster Response Fund for aid to Ukraine and 74 Disaster Response Grants have been issued to the value of $2.1m. Twelve districts in Rotary GB&I have already received Disaster Response Grants of $25k to help Ukrainian refugees. turned around by the grants staff in only a day or so. Clubs in D1070 have contributed £68,000 to our District Aid to Ukraine Fund and over £58,000 has already been distributed, through Rotary Clubs in Poland and Romania, to refugee relief work. 

A Refugee Response Team has been formed in the District under the auspices of the International Team – the team< will try and ascertain what needs the refugees have and in what manner we can assist; this information should eventually be available from local councils but is not yet. The answers we get to these questions will inform our decisions as to whether and how to apply for a Disaster Response Grant, an action which can only be undertaken by the DG and DRFC. If you become aware of refugees in need of assistance please contact either me or Karl Flowers, our DISC, with your information. 

The Member Center in My Rotary contains much useful and interesting information about Rotary in Ukraine and the efforts our fellow Rotarians in countries neighbouring the Ukraine are making during the current emergency situation; it also contains a list of contacts across Europe responsible for Rotary Aid to Refugees this is available here. We are advised that the information on the progress of Disaster Response Grants for Ukraine will soon be reflected on the Ukraine response page on My Rotary Below are extracts from 2 emails received from Zamosc and Suceava – the clubs Facebook pages also show a little of what these clubs are doing. RC Zamosc Ordonyzca - We thank you for your contributions, which are very important and allow us to help the Refugees here in Poland. 

As you probably know, in Poland there are over 4 million refugees. The real big challenges are in front of us, because our main goal is to help mothers and children, who are in Poland. In this tragic situation the phenomenon is that many Poles receive them in their own homes. Unfortunately, not everyone can be provided with such accommodation. There are help centres in many rural towns that were always under-invested and need to be adjusted to provide the refugees with necessary conditions, preparing clean places for sleep, toilets, kitchens, etc. We also try to relocate the refugees to other countries, Sweden, Denmark, Germany. 

We are covering the transport fees. We are not able to meet the needs that are getting bigger every week. RC Suceava Buvocina - Today a new transport containing food and hygiene products was delivered to a refugee group in Ukraine by the Rotary Club Suceava Bucovina. The volunteer work was done in a huge proportion by our Rotaractors and Interactors. 3 days to sort the received products into categories, buy more products, organize them on pallets ready for transport. Many thanks to these amazing young people. This delivery and several new ones in coming weeks are a direct result of the support we recently received from District 1070 UK, RCs Walsall Saddlers and Wolverhampton. We deeply appreciate your efforts and assistance.