Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation: assistance must be of high quality, fast and from the heart

Every day the fund receives many requests from military personnel and family members of the deceased. Social coordinators try to surround everyone who turns to the foundation’s branches for help with warmth and care, so that the person does not feel as if he is left alone with his questions. And the speed with which most of the problems facing the fund is solved is amazing. Sometimes it’s like in the emergency services: the count is not days, but hours, he says Natalya Osykosocial coordinator from Syzran.

– So, we met Nikolai three weeks ago, when a serviceman contacted our branch. He was at home recovering from the injury, but severe pain in his leg and lameness did not subside. Therefore, it was necessary to schedule a re-examination and extend treatment. I called the military registration and enlistment office and the hospital and arranged for the soldier to be examined by a doctor. Immediately after this appointment, Nikolai was urgently hospitalized. He spent ten days in the hospital, underwent a course of treatment, after which the doctors decided to send him to a military medical commission, since the injury was quite serious. We talk on the phone, I keep the situation under control.

In addition, it turned out that the serviceman did not receive payment for his injury due to a problem with sending documents. I contacted the military unit, the regiment where he served, the issue was resolved, and two weeks later Nikolai was transferred the payments required by law.

I want to say that military units and hospital representatives always meet halfway. We work as one team. If a person needs help, we do everything in our power to ensure that this help is provided as quickly as possible.

Nikolai himself willingly picks up Natalya’s words.

– I didn’t expect everything to happen so quickly. Although my friends who recommended me to contact the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation said that here everything is resolved without delay. But in a few hours?! If this hadn’t happened to me, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. Just imagine: about two hours passed from contacting the fund to hospitalization! The examination at the hospital was serious. I have not completely gotten rid of the problem, perhaps the consequences will remain forever. But after serious treatment it became noticeably easier.

As for payments, my papers were not ready. I was already prepared that I would have to hit the thresholds, I was ready for delays and hitches. But thanks to the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, the money arrived in just two weeks!

There are many stories like this in Natalia’s practice. The social coordinator is ready to help everyone who comes to the fund for support. For example, in June, the sister of a thirty-year-old fighter, who at that time was in the hospital after being seriously wounded in the head, contacted us. The guy was shell-shocked, with speech and memory impairments. After brain surgery, there was a hole in the skull that needed to be closed with a special plate. However, it was not possible to resolve the issue of installing this plate. When Natalya took over the matter, the issue was resolved within a week. The young man underwent surgery and a plate was installed. Natalya visited him at home. Now she is looking for a job for him.

Sometimes heroes don’t even have to contact the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation on their own: social coordinators find them themselves, as in the case Valeria Vodolazkina from Sevastopol.

– I knew that there was a fund that helps veterans of the Northern Military District, I saw news on TV about the opening of branches in different cities. But he didn’t apply himself, although there were problems. And suddenly the bell rang, I was invited, I came and registered. Almost immediately, Natalya, the social coordinator, began working with me, and immediately took up the solution to my issue. The fact is that my lower back was damaged: it was covered by an explosion – plus a concussion. My lower back hurt unbearably. I tried to get to the doctors on my own. But this turned out to be problematic. First you need to stand in line to see a therapist, who will refer you to specialized specialists, and there are also queues there. Sometimes you think that you won’t see a doctor for years.

It turned out that there is a doctor on duty at the fund from the city hospital who is directly involved in seeing veterans of the Northern Military District. After the examination, the doctor sent me for an MRI and to a neurologist. And all this happened pretty quickly. I underwent an examination, received a little treatment, and then they offered me a voucher to a sanatorium. The results are clear. Before this, I couldn’t turn completely onto my left side at all, but now after the procedures: massages, mud, baths and other things, it became normal. They put me on my feet. The main problem has been solved!

To be honest, when I first returned home, I had the feeling that no one needed me here. But it was thanks to the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation that I felt that this was not so. Very nice girls work here! No matter how hard they try, they give their best. So, if I have any questions, I will solve them through the fund.

One of the most frequent requests to the fund is assistance in obtaining a combat veteran’s certificate. Errors in filling out or incomplete packages of papers, or even documents completely lost during a combat mission, do not allow military personnel to receive an important certificate confirming their status and entitling them to benefits.

Employees of the branches of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation carefully study each such issue, help in resolving bureaucratic delays, write requests to ministries and departments, and assist in the restoration of lost documents so that the treasured crust finds its veteran.

A resident of St. Petersburg, who participated in a special military operation in a volunteer formation, shared his story of receiving a combat veteran’s certificate. Spring 2023 Alexey Upenik went to the front at the call of his heart.

– A real man must defend his country, his homeland. I went to the front as a volunteer through the Akhmat special forces, was on the front line, and took part in hostilities. And then, upon returning, it turned out that my documents were completed incorrectly. Therefore, I decided to turn to professionals for help – the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation. My social coordinator immediately took up the issue. She helped collect documents, lawyer Ekaterina drafted requests correctly, and in general the staff kept every stage under control. With their help, I received my combat veteran ID. Honestly, I cannot express how grateful I am to our branch of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation. Today they are helping me in obtaining social support measures, which also turned out to be not so simple, but I am not used to giving up and I am sure: together with the fund’s employees we will do everything!

The Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation was created by decree of the Russian President in April 2023. From June 1, the fund’s branches began operating in 89 regions of the country. Over the 5 months of operation of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, more than 400 thousand requests were received.

In all branches, veterans and families of the deceased are provided with comprehensive legal support, assistance in socialization and employment issues. Provide assistance in matters of rehabilitation and medical care.