Dear David,
Following your request and my last email from today I would like to make a brief description of the humanitarian activities we are developing in Romania for the Ukrainian refugees.
1) ACCOMODATION
For both refugees coming from North by car and foot and those coming from the South by ferry there are needed short term accommodation places for at least 3-4 days after which part of them are travelling to other European countries and others are being hosted by Romanian families. For this purpose we are cooperating with the government to supply the following facilities:
– special tents for more than 20 people
– electrical heating devices
– beds and blankets
– personal hygiene products
On the other hand there are many small hotel owners which offer their facilities for the refugees asking in return for the payment of the utilities (gas, watter, electricity).
2) MEDICAL SUPPLIES
– emergency kits
– small surgery kits
– antibiotics and other different medicines
– disinfecting solvents
– cleaning sets
– medical face masks
3) FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES
– sandwiches
– warm food fresh prepared
– still water
– disposable plates and cups
4) TRANSPORTATION FROM THE BORDER TO DIFFERENT CITIES AND AIRPORT
Many Ukrainian refugees are leaving Romania after 3-4 days spent at the border through the major airports especially Bucharest so they need free transportation.
5) SPECIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN AND MOTHERS
Small children and mothers are very shocked and need specialized psychological assistance to recover.
6) CLOTHES SUPPLIES
Collecting and storing clothes for adults and children and distributing to the refugees as well as specialized articles for children.
Additionally we face the problem with those refugees which are asking to stay in Romania and need integration, long term accommodation and integration in our society. Many of them are speaking only Ukrainian or Russian. Please also note that in the first wave of refugees arriving in the past 10 days most of them are having some financial resources but the second wave starting next week will be those with very poor resources and which will require better care and support. Until today more than 250.000 refugees crossed the Romanian border and we are expecting up to 1 million in the next 30 days or less.
We are developing different support programs including in cooperation with other important organizations such as our National Grand Lodge and international charity organizations such as LIONS Romania. This is a brief presentation of our activities for support of the Ukrainian refugees and facing a dramatic situation at the Romanian borders.
We are living difficult times which are asking more than ever out of compassion and unity to help those in difficult situations. Brotherhood and friendship must prevail.
Fraternal regards,
Cristian