ShelterBox has begun distributions of aid in Ukraine. With help from our partner, People in Need, we are delivering mattresses to Lviv where people seeking shelter and safety are sleeping on the cold floors in collective centers like schools and sports arenas.Working with our NZ partner, Relief Aid, we are providing shelter kits and other essential items to help people across Ukraine survive in damaged buildings. The kits contain tarpaulins, tools and rope, thermal blankets, solar lights, buckets, and water carriers as well as hygiene items like soap, washing powder, and toothpaste.
We will be supporting refugees in neighbouring countries with high priority items they can carry with them, like hygiene kits and small amounts of cash. Our ShelterBox team has been conducting assessments at a reception centre in Moldova not far from the border with Ukraine, where many refugees have been arriving. We’re also working with Rotary in Moldova to draw up our plans.
Over 4.6 million people have left Ukraine with 90% of these being women and children. Over 7.1 million are displaced within the country and unable to leave because of damage due to infrastucture, lack of money or vehicles, and the danger of war around them. More than a third of them say they plan to stay with family or friends, but 13% say it has been hard or extremely hard to find a place to sleep for themselves and their families.
ShelterBox has teams in Eastern Europe, in Moldova and Poland, with travel into Ukraine when possible. We are coordinating with Rotary and other trusted partners to ensure we help as many people as possible. If you’d like to be part of this relief effort, go to www.shelterbox.org.nz.
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