Shortly after the Russian invasion of
Ukraine, we set up a fundraising campaign for the Ukrainian victims and
refugees. Countless clubs have responded to the call for donations from the
three Swiss clubs, and there is a great deal of concern. In an overview, the
donation status and supported projects are listed
(https://rss.rotary.ch/de/content/news/show/19080). In this article, we want to
portray some relief actions instead of abstract figures. After all, we are
talking about real stories, with real people, whom you help with your
donations.
1. Organization of transport and support of
the self-help group "Open Hearts" by the Rotary Clubs of Kreuzlingen
and Kreuzlingen-Konstanz
The Rotary Clubs of Kreuzlingen and
Kreuzlingen-Konstanz have been involved in the Lviv area for over 18 years, and
currently the residents of the Ukrainian city need help more than ever. The two
clubs, together with local partners, have had the self-help group "Open
Hearts" evacuated from Lviv and transported to Switzerland. After initial
emergency accommodation in a gymnasium, 10 disabled people with family members
and carers were quickly accommodated in Switzerland in the disabled-friendly
institution "Mansio" in Münsterlingen. A great example of a relief
action for refugees from Ukraine. Here
(https://rotary2000.ch/de/content/news/show/18748) you can find the whole
report.
2. Financial support of the non-profit
organization "Human Front Aid"
Rotary supports the non-profit organization
"Human Front Aid" founded by Swiss Bänz Margo. Margot fled Odessa
himself after the outbreak of the war. However, he did not go back to
Switzerland, but stayed in Moldova, where he started helping other refugees. Shortly
after, he founded Human Front Aid, funding relief supplies and evacuations from
Odessa, Nikolajev and Kherson. When Margot DG Ursula Schoepfer asked for help,
the Rotary Foundation Switzerland decided to support Human Front Aid with three
times 10'000 Swiss Francs. Margot personally thanked Ursula Schoepfer for the
urgently needed financial help. On the website of Human Front Aid
(https://humanfrontaid.org/) you can find more information about the NPO.
3. RC Zurich Plus supports "Hilfswerk
Ukraine"
Shortly after the outbreak of the war, the
Rotary Club Zurich Plus decided to provide rapid aid to Ukraine itself. After
examining various projects, the club decided to focus its support on the
Hilfswerk Ukraine (https://www.hilfswerk-ukraine.ch/) of Rotarian Dr. med. Jürg
Streuli (RC Oberer Zürichsee). Hilfswerk Ukraine provides direct medical and
humanitarian aid. For the transport of relief supplies, the relief organization
can rely on long-standing direct contacts in Ukraine and with the Ukrainian
Embassy in Bern. If you would like to support the Rotary Club Zurich Plus in
its commitment to Ukraine, you will find the necessary information here
(https://rotaryclubzurichplus.ch/de/content/news/show/18643).
4. Opening of a hostel for 100 Ukrainian
women and children of RC Kraków Wyspianski
Thanks to the fundraising campaign
"Ukraine" of all three Swiss districts, financial help was also
provided to the Rotary Club Kraków Wyspianski. In Kraków, the club has equipped
and opened a shelter for 100 Ukrainian women and children. The club would also
like to provide a school and kindergarten for the Ukrainian refugees in the
near future.
5. Financial aid to the Rotary Club of Kiyv
International
Since the outbreak of the war in western
Ukraine, the active Ukrainian Club Kiyv International has built and equipped
various refugee centers. With the help of a now well-functioning logistics
system, the refugees from the eastern regions of the country are supplied with
food and other goods for their daily needs. The financial resources required
run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars - every bit of help counts.
6. The RC Zurich Zoo supports the asylum
organization Zurich/AOZ
Through the Asylum Organization Zurich/AOZ,
the Rotary Club Zurich Zoo has had the opportunity to provide outreach in small
groups of 2-3 people in the various refugee centers since mid-March.
First, the club helped out in the barracks
in Bülach, where members could, for example, help with the start-up and
occupancy of the accommodations, the preparation and organization of the
clothing and hygiene article distribution as well as the distribution of food.
At the Zurich Saalsporthalle, which had been converted into an emergency
shelter, members were deployed at the reception desk, helping with registration
and bed assignment, and assisting with questions. At the St. Peter and Paul
short-term shelter in Zurich, the club was again able to work in the kitchen
and serving meals.
Personal contacts with refugees were also
established, which, for example, helped to find a temporary job for a young
Ukrainian. Furthermore, two club members supported two women with two children
each in their search for an apartment and the procurement of urgently needed
clothing. The club donations were also used to purchase meal vouchers for them.
If you would like to support the AOZ with a
volunteer, please contact us by e-mail: freiwillige@aoz.ch
7. Medicines for the Ohmatdyt Children's
Hospital in Kiyv
The contact to this children's hospital was
established via RC Allschwil-Regio Basel. In peacetime the hospital cares for about
500 children, currently the hospital additionally cares for war-disabled
adults. The employees (medical, administrative and logistic staff) have been
working around the clock since the beginning of the war. With our financial
support we can help to guarantee the care of all patients. More information
about Children's Hospital can be found on their Facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/ndslohmatdyt) and on Instagram (https://instagram.com/ohmatdyt ).
We ask all clubs to continue to contact
their district if the funds raised can be used to support a specific project.
