Food, clothes, money … all the charitable associations involved observes an exceptional solidarity movement.
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“We have never known such a mobilization for a hundred and sixty years that the French Red Cross exists,” says Philippe da Costa, its president, in a statement dated March 9. The association has, indeed, harvested in a single concert evening retransmitted on France 2 and France Inter, on March 8, and devoted to the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine, more than 8 million euros. “This war touches our personal lives and the generosity of the world of culture is exceptional”, welcomes the press release.
Other charitable associations observe the same momentum on the part of the French. “We feel that at all levels of society, we want to help, testifies Corinne Makowski, National Secretary of Reseller. Servers abandon their tip; employees organize subscriptions in their businesses; young people will deposit trunks [boxes For donations in parts] in traders … “
The popular help has already recorded, in its accounts, more than 2 million euros, excluding future promises and organized collections, this March 12 and 13 weekend, all over France, on the occasion of Flea markets, braderies or garages … “This generosity does not surprise us, it is usual when such an event arises, as was the case during the tsunami in Southeast Asia, at Christmas 2004. But there, It’s even stronger, it’s a spontaneous movement, a need to help, a very positive sign of the French-minded state of mind, “enthuses me Makowski.
A need for organization
The food banks that do not collect, they, that commodities, have also broken records: 13 tons in “picks up” invendus and donations on the Fair of Agriculture, but especially 945 tonnes during operations ” Farmers have heart “, not all destined for Ukraine, but whose news has multiplied volumes.
“Usually, before soliciting our regular donors, we think about the needs, explains Benoît-Xavier Loridon, in charge of operations and international advocacy for Catholic Relief. But considering urgency and applications, especially financial, Caritas Europa antennas in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova or Romania, we gathered, in less than a week, nearly 1.8 million euros. “
Everyone reflects in the best way to organize aid. “We have the experience of emergencies like this, adds M me Makowski, and know that we should not ship material, food and throw dozens of trucks on the roads without knowing the real needs and taking the risk that, for lack of secure and organized warehouses, everything is lost, stolen, diverted, even rescued … Ukraine and neighbors are, moreover, developed and equipped countries: for example, we have, for example, Need washing machines and dryer to clean blankets and clothing, but you can buy them or collect on site. “
Drugs and Hygiene Kits
The approach is the same to help Catholic: “The money collected will buy, on site, the essential medicines and hygiene kits and will finance the emergency accommodation of the refugees, where they will remain a few days In safe shelters before going to a European home country, “says Loridon.
The Salvation Army launched, on its website, a call to donations to finance local teams, including Moldova and Romania, which provide accommodation, meals or Internet access to displaced persons. She has, with France Earth of Asylum, the Protestant Social Action Center and Coallia, Foyers Manager, launched a call for citizen accommodation and already received five thousand proposals from France. “We look forward to this exceptional mobilization but make sure to welcome everyone in the same way, whatever the origins because, in this case, many among the first refugees arrived from Ukraine are Congolese, Pakistani, Algerians …”, Insists Samuel Coppens, Director of the Salvation Army Foundation.
The Ukrainians hunted from home by war will probably need long-term support and solidarity should not weaken in the long term, far beyond their arrival in the host countries. It is, for charitable associations, the next issue.