For more than six months, the Russian military invasion has been going on in Ukraine, as a result of which millions of Ukrainians have become refugees, dozens of villages and cities have been destroyed, and many civilians have been killed. Air alarms, explosions, and sounds of Russian missiles aimed at civilian objects are every day in Ukrainian cities. But during this time, hundreds of volunteer initiatives have also launched in Ukraine, where ordinary people help victims of Russian military aggression. I spoke with Oleksiy, a Ukrainian student in Kyiv, a volunteer of the international charitable organization “Red Cross”, who has been helping victims of hostilities since the beginning of the war.
Photo via Kyiv volunteers (Red Cross)
How volunteer centers in Kyiv help people who are affected by war
With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Oleksiy assisted various organizations that helped war victims. There are several “Red Cross” centers in Kyiv that distribute humanitarian aid, provide various consultations and assistance to low-income families.
I work at the Kyiv department of the charitable organization “Red Cross”. We work every day. Since the beginning of the war, we have had only 5 days off. Our organization helps vulnerable groups of people, including large families, people with disabilities, immigrants and others. We also cooperate with other charitable organizations, orphanages, adaptation centers for children with autism, and animal shelters. We organize charity days where we distribute food packages to people, advise on legal and medical issues, organize dinners and distribute clothes. In addition, we go to the Kyiv region, Gostomel and Irpin, where we provide humanitarian aid to people affected by the war.
Photo via Kyiv volunteers (Red Cross)
Hundreds of young people, students in Ukraine join volunteer aid, organize their own campaigns on the Internet, collect money to help the Ukrainian army and send funds to other charitable organizations. Each of these students has different motivations, but they are united by the desire to help their fellow citizens survive this terrible war.
I already had experience working as a volunteer. After the beginning of the Russian invasion, I helped to build barricades in Kyiv, donated money to the army and strengthened the local hospital in case of a military offensive. I want to be useful and help my country. Humanitarian aid came to Kyiv from various regions, and we had to help unload it. There were not enough men due to difficult working conditions and health problems, they needed help. That’s how I got there.
Humanitarian aid from various regions regularly arrives in Kyiv, and the Red Cross needs men who can help unload it to warehouses. I helped unload humanitarian aid from the trucks that come to us. In total, together with others, I unloaded 750 boxes of 10 kilograms each in one day.
Photo via Kyiv volunteers (Red Cross)
For several weeks, Oleksiy has been working at the volunteer center, where dozens of people come to help Ukrainians with humanitarian aid. The work process consists in the sorting of humanitarian aid, which is sent from different districts of Kyiv to other departments of the Red Cross. Oleksiy says that among those willing to help there are many young people and students who work in a friendly atmosphere.
We had a nice and good ambiance. My friend introduced me to other volunteers, we spent time together during breaks in a very peaceful environment. Anyone can come to the volunteer center and offer their help if the center needs it. But you can get an official job there and help on a permanent basis.
The Red Cross has employees who are officially registered as volunteers and have their own duties. About 30-40% of people in the volunteer center were young men and students under 30 years old. But among them were men and 40-60 years old. We had a nice and friendly atmosphere. My friend introduced me to other volunteers, during breaks we spent time together in a very favorable environment.
Photo via Kyiv volunteers (Red Cross)
Why do so many young people in Ukraine become volunteers and support Ukraine
According to Oleksiy, many young people join volunteering in order to help the country during this difficult period. There’re many people among his friends who have created various activities to raise money to help the army and those who suffered.
It is very important that people join forces and work together to win the war. Humanitarian aid and volunteering is a very important work that is needed by people affected by hostilities. Humanitarian aid and products can help many people. If you have time and opportunity, then help. I am going to continue volunteering.
I have a friend, Anya, who works at the Red Cross as a specialist in psychological assistance. It helps people who have suffered as a result of hostilities. At the beginning of the war, my friend Anton helped to build dugouts in the forest to protect the city. My friend Sonya organizes charity exhibitions with Ukrainian works, and the money transfers to support the Ukrainian army. She also organized charity dinners with Ukrainian cuisine, the money from which went to support charitable organizations and the army of Ukraine. It is very important to talk about the war in Ukraine in other countries.
Photo via Kyiv volunteers (Red Cross)
How people live now during the war in the capital of Ukraine
With the beginning of the invasion, life in the cities of Ukraine changed fundamentally. Many cities were in war zones, wherefrom people had to quickly evacuate. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has survived numerous rocket and artillery strikes. Russia shelled peaceful areas, tried to storm the city. Many people left Kyiv, but plenty of them had to stay and adapt to new living conditions. A few months after the beginning of the invasion, life in Kyiv began to return to normal.
Streets of Kyiv come alive. Many people go to cafés and restaurants, and new establishments are opening in the city. But air raid alarms are regularly sounded in Kyiv, people are being evacuated from shopping centers and shops to safe places. This is important because I remember when a rocket hit a mall and people couldn’t get out in time. But many residents are already used to it and simply ignore the air alarm. When I read the news about the victims, I feel mentally ill. I feel very sorry for these people. But people try to continue living despite the war.
Oleksiy believes that it is very important that people abroad continue to support Ukraine. He advises them to go to protests, organize fundraising campaigns to support the Ukrainian army and charitable organizations.
First, if you have the opportunity to help Ukraine financially, do it. We have state accounts and details of local organizations that help the military and people in the regions of Ukraine. For example, my friend’s father is at war, and they are currently raising money for transportation. If you don’t have the opportunity to help financially, tell about Russia invading Ukraine on social networks. Go to protests. Put hashtags on Twitter and talk about the war in Ukraine. Share the truth with others.
Photo via Kyiv volunteers (Red Cross)
Support Ukraine now!
The large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on for 6 months. During this time, the Russian occupiers destroyed and damaged thousands of residential buildings. About 5 million Ukrainian men and women became refugees. Many Ukrainians found themselves under occupation. People do not have access to clean drinking water, quality communication, food and a safe place to live. Follow this link to support Ukrainians.
Translator: Bohdana-Nikolietta Terekhina
