AT a rail terminus where traumatised victims of this senseless conflict gather, the cluster of Red Cross tents are a godsend. Mums and children with stories of death and destruction are queuing for a place on a train or bus ride to safety. The bright red crosses that emblazon the tents in Lviv’s snow-flecked square […]
AT a rail terminus where traumatised victims of this senseless conflict gather, the cluster of Red Cross tents are a godsend.
Mums and children with stories of death and destruction are queuing for a place on a train or bus ride to safety.
The bright red crosses that emblazon the tents in Lviv’s snow-flecked square are a beacon of both comfort and hope.
Mum Alona Yeskova, 33 — cuddling daughters Miroslava, five, and Sophie, nine — told me: “We are safe, warm and have had a good meal thanks to the Red Cross.”
The social media developer added: “We ran for our lives from Kharkiv and when we got here we weren’t expecting any help. But for two days the Red Cross has fed us, given us blankets and offered advice on getting to Poland.”
When told that Sun readers are donating tens of thousands of pounds to the Red Cross Ukraine appeal, she said: “It’s incredible what people are doing.”
Lviv, in western Ukraine, is a key transit hub to the West for those fleeing the conflict. With men left behind to fight, mothers, children, the elderly and infirm are joining an exodus already 1.5million strong.
Among a sea of bedding in a large upstairs room at the station, Tania Gorla, 39, daughter Milana, three, and granny Anna, 60, have the forlorn stare of the war-weary.
They are also from Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine where shelling has devastated the city centre and residential areas.
Her voice breaking with emotion, kindergarten boss Tania revealed: “We saw rockets hitting our city and our anti-aircraft systems hitting Russian planes. I think at first Milana thought it was a game. She was sitting on a pillow by the wall.”
Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates
When they arrived in Lviv by train, Red Cross volunteers were on hand to help them cope with the trauma they were experiencing.
Tania said: “The Red Cross has given a huge humanitarian help. We’re so thankful, and to all who have donated money.
“But many more are fleeing. Thousands are leaving Kharkiv every day. More aid will be needed.
“It’s so important for refugees to know that people care.”
The Red Cross’s cluster of tents are the first sight many see when filing through the station after fleeing the horrors of their hometowns.
A queue of beleaguered humanity snakes through the square as blank-staring youngsters wait patiently beside their devastated parents. It’s so cold that the ink in my biro freezes, with the wind-chill dipping below -5C (23F).
Charity workers push wheelchair users through the chaotic throng. Some of those fleeing have brought their dogs and cats in travel crates.
The Red Cross has given a huge humanitarian help. We’re so thankful, and to all who have donated money. But many more are fleeing. Thousands are leaving Kharkiv every day. More aid will be needed. It’s so important for refugees to know that people care.
Refugee Tania Gorla
Despite her plight, seven-year-old Masha Fedorchenko conjures up a smile as she munches on a plate of warm varenyky dumplings handed to her by a Red Cross volunteer.
Sister Kate, 20, said they left home city Kharkiv as explosions reigned down.
The language student says Masha and sister Polina, five, still do not “really understand what’s going on”. They were met with charity helpers dispensing hot tea and sandwiches.
Kate said: “I would like to say a very big thank you. A lot of people here really need help.”
A heated Red Cross tent in the square offers Ksenya Chechulina, 36, and her six-year-old daughter Anya some solace.
From Odesa but born in Russia, her eyes moisten as she says: “We have lost everything. War is terrible. It’s a big tragedy for the whole world. Please stop the war.”
She describes the work of the Red Cross as “a big help for us.” Local Red Cross volunteer Illya Deyneka, 39, told me: “All these people need to eat and sleep.
“Right now in Lviv, it’s a very big problem. Our priority is children.
“Last Thursday there was nothing here to help these people. Now we have hot tents where they can eat and drink and wait for a bus to Poland — but we need more.”
All these people need to eat and sleep. Right now in Lviv, it’s a very big problem. Our priority is children. Last Thursday there was nothing here to help these people. Now we have hot tents where they can eat and drink and wait for a bus to Poland — but we need more.
Red Cross volunteer Illya Deyneka
A Red Cross tent which acts as a storeroom is laden with medicines, nappies and baby food,
Illya added of The Sun’s campaign: “I want to thank all the people that gave money.
“It really is helping people who are in desperate need.”
Most of these people have fled with only their passport and a backpack containing toiletries and a change of clothes.
German pianist Davide Martello, 40, who shipped his keyboard across the border from Poland, plays a haunting version of the Beatles’ Let It Be as the refugees enter the station. As the pianist then struck up John Lennon’s anti-war anthem Imagine, two-year-old David Lupir — in woolly bear hat — gazed on, transfixed.
Some in the queue wipe away tears, others applaud when the music is over.
Volunteers from across the globe — including Brit Neil Broom — are pitching in to help the Red Cross.
Grandad Neil, 42, from Jedburgh, Scotland, is a Royal Irish Regiment veteran. He said: “I’m volunteering for the Red Cross. We got here today and we’re trying to help out as much as we can.
“I’ll chop wood, help out with the food and do whatever is needed.”
Northern Ireland-born Neil added: “At the border, there was a 12-mile-long line of traffic.
“We saw cars with as many as ten people crammed in. They’re short on medical supplies here and they need more ambulances.”
More desperate people will pass this way — the UN predict as many as four million may flee.
The least the world can do is offer warmth and a meal for their children.
PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
Or text to 70141
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10
Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund
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