Volunteers told how to help the wounded in the NVO zone

Someone needs blankets, someone needs heat guns

The Republics of Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions became part of the Russian Federation, but the volunteers who helped the inhabitants of these territories in difficult times do not leave them with their attention. Maria Makeeva is one of the active participants in the volunteer movement. She told MK what concerns the volunteers who help refugees now from Russian, but troubled territories, have now.

– Now the majority of refugees are in great need of warm clothes, because those who came in the spring could not always bring something from the winter range with them. Therefore, we always try to collect things for the autumn or winter season to the maximum: Hats, scarves, gloves, – says Maria.

How has your activity changed with the change of the country’s borders?

“The borders have been removed, but our resource is still limited, so our headquarters strictly helps refugees who are in Moscow and the Moscow region. The rest of the regions are not served by us, because, firstly, many regions have their own volunteers who help. Party structures carry things across the borders, the regions are distributed among the parties. For example, Zaporizhia is listed as an Liberal Democratic Party, and they have been helping this region for a long time.

— What is the news in your volunteer community?

We have moved to a new place since August. In terms of volume, this room is approximately the size of one classroom – earlier the building housed a gymnasium and all classrooms – former classrooms. Now we have such a classroom in which we arrange the issuance of things. Recently, we were given another office for cultural initiatives. Even in the summer, when the headquarters was idle, we held many classes with refugees in acting and plastic arts. The children who participated in the classes even had two concerts. Now volunteers have come to us – teachers in vocals, plasticity, acting. In the near future, a psychological group for adults will start. We will have classes on world art culture. Also in the plans, together with one of the funds, is a grandiose idea to create a musical. Initially, they wanted to make it only with the involvement of refugee children, but given the limited opportunities and resources, it is likely that children from large families and children with developmental disabilities will also take part in it.

Has anything changed in the lives of refugees lately?

— After the referendum, the situation for refugees has changed. Many of them are now potential citizens of our country. There is no need to wait for several months, they can obtain citizenship by personal application after taking the oath. Our volunteer lawyers are still advising refugees and are waiting for active explanations on how to make sure that people can obtain citizenship in the shortest possible time. Unfortunately, the need to help people has not yet disappeared, because as before, many cannot return home, since there are no houses. Many are afraid to return, knowing about the latest events, about the massive shelling of the territories. You can even say that the number of requests to us is growing. At the same time, there are a lot of initial requests from people who arrived in July, August, September and even October.

– Maybe there are some new directions that you are engaged in?

– We have created a group to help the wounded guys from the front line. Many of them have been injured and need our support and protection. They suffer not only physically, they need support so that they understand that they have not been turned away from them. Whenever possible, we try to help those who are in hospitals in Moscow and the region. Now a lot of groups are being created that help hospitals. For example, a group I know from Zelenograd helps the hospital in Valuyki in Belgorod, sending the necessary funds there upon request. In addition, there are friendly border groups with which we are in close coordination and, if possible, send assistance there. Of course, the state provides the guys with everything they need, they have a basic set of clothes, shoes and other things, but in conditions of heavy fighting, many wardrobe items wear out in a very short time. According to experts, boots on the front line last no more than two months, and many guys have been fighting since spring. Some need sleeping bags, some need thermal underwear, even frying pans and heat guns. Not only volunteers from the border regions try to help, but also people from all over the country. It is very pleasant that our citizens have a patriotic spirit. Of course, it is impossible to help everyone and everywhere, but we try to resolve issues as far as possible – to collect something somewhere, to prompt and advise somewhere. Recently, together with neighbors, they collected a whole car of old blankets and blankets to carry the wounded from the battlefield. Oddly enough, materials are still required that can be useful to the guys on the battlefield. We really hope that the NWO will end soon and a peaceful life will not be far off.