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Brazilians help refugees to leave Ukraine for other countries

In the midst of the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, with thousands of refugees leaving the country, a group of 50 volunteers of different nationalities, including two Brazilian seminarians, set up a makeshift support center at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Seminary in the city of Uzhhorod. . The region shares borders with Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

The center receives donations from all over Europe. They are food, hygiene products, medicines, toys, blankets, warm clothing, among other supplies, divided to serve immigrants at borders and cities that are short of supplies. The place also welcomes and supports men from 18 to 60 years old who stayed in the country and needed to say goodbye to their families. The entire organization is carried out by the Caritas Aid Association of the Catholic Church.

The Brazilian volunteers are residents of Vinnytsia, a city located 360 km from the capital, Kiev. Just before the start of the war, on February 23, they arrived at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Seminary to attend a course. They just didn’t imagine that there would be a place for an even greater mission: helping refugees.

João Miguel Perozzi Jorge, 26, left São Paulo 10 years ago to work on missions as a volunteer, but this is the first time he has experienced a situation like this. His brother, Father Lucas Perozzi, is in Kiev, one of the cities hardest hit by Russian attacks. Even in the face of the uncertainties of the war, the young man says that the feeling is not of fear, but of gratitude for being able to help those people in some way.

“We are in the far west of Ukraine, but the information is that at any time an explosion could happen, anywhere. It is a precarious situation. We are helping these people”; John pointed out.

In the country for almost three years, Wagner Luiz Gonçalves (31 years old) also left São Paulo to join the Catholic Seminary where the support center for war refugees is improvised. According to the seminarians, every day more than 500 people pass by the support point. Volunteers monitor the arrival of immigrants who disembark from trains and welcome them at the station, offering supplies.

“There are already a shortage of supplies in some cities. They are no longer being supplied. Everything is being done by rail. So, we help people off the train, and immediately, we carry as much food, clothing, sleeping bags, water as possible…”; highlighted, Wagner.

With no deadline to return home, the two seminarians who became volunteers spend the day receiving and distributing donations that arrive at the support center. And they guide families trying to cross the border to escape the war.

Last Thursday (03) a task force was set up to organize donations. According to Wagner, about 400 people arrived from a train that departed Kiev. The routine of the last few days has been intense at the seminary. After the reception, in the early hours of this Friday (04), the group split up and went to the border accesses. With orange vests, to stand out in the dark, and with the thermometer marking down to -2°C, the volunteers concentrate in tents to provide first aid.

“Most left their homes with only their clothes on, and at most a backpack. We will help them with whatever it takes.”

Source: CNN Brasil

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