Weekly magazine “Arguments and Facts” No. 8. Defense of the Fatherland – in the first place 23/02/2022 Plot Aggravation of the situation in Donbas
On February 22, humanitarian aid collection centers for refugees from the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics opened in Moscow on the basis of the Mosvolonter office and eleven NGO coworking centers. Those who want to help bring food and essential items: diapers, coloring books, cereals and clothes, and someone — and books with stationery.
Boxes with already sorted things are laid out all over the headquarters of the “Mosvolonter”. There are a dozen volunteers in the office who accept help from caring citizens.
As the volunteer of the headquarters tells Polina Okuneva she came here to help people. For her, this is the first action of this format, although before that the girl had repeatedly helped the “Mosvolonter”. Assistants meet people, measure their temperature and check things and products that volunteers have brought. “We are looking at the expiration date and condition of things so that they are new, in the package,” says the girl. Second-hand items are not accepted at the center.
Photo by the author
Completely different people come. Muscovite Natalia I found out about the collection of help on the radio in the morning and immediately brought food: “I collected all the canned goods that were, sweets, soap.” When asked why she decided to help, she says that she represents the state of people: “Especially those who stayed there. They’re bombing there.” Natalia’s relatives live in Ukraine, but relations with them have not developed very well, she complains: “I’m worried about Donbass, my ancestors are from Ukraine, but they only behave badly: they don’t communicate with me.”
MSU student Nataliahe says that they “decided just not to remain indifferent in such a situation and help people”. We learned about the collection from the Internet, came as soon as possible.
Sergey from Moscow, he says that he has been worried about Donbass since 2014, although he has no ties and relatives there. “But these are the same people as us, and they did not deserve the bombing and destruction of their home,” the man explains. I want to believe that Russia’s recognition of the republics will bring peace back to Donbass, and everyone we came to help will return to their homes. Sergey brought two bags of groceries with him.
Photo by the author
Food, clothes, dishes, personal hygiene products and basic necessities can be brought to the centers as humanitarian aid. Toys, books and stationery can be left for children.
You can bring:
- Bottled water (volume from 0.5 to 25 liters);
- Dry baby food (mixtures);
- Food products (tea, sugar, flour, cereals, canned food);
- Disposable tableware, personal hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, baby diapers);
- Towels and bedding (blankets, pillows, sheets), children’s stationery (coloring books), books and toys.