Together: The international community reaches out to Ukrainian refugees – an interview with a spokesperson and volunteer from UNHCR's German office
Chris Melzer/Chris Wolf as a Ukrainian refugee on the Polish border
According to the latest statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 3 million Ukrainians have fled the war and become refugees seeking help in neighboring countries. Ukraine's neighbor, Poland, is by far the country that receives the most refugees. Germany, which is adjacent to Poland, also quickly activated various rescue mechanisms to accommodate and resettle Ukrainian refugees in large numbers. UN News special correspondent Du Jia conducted an exclusive interview with Chris Melzer, a spokesman for UNHCR's German office, and volunteer Chris Wolf. Listen to her report.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Melzer, spokesman for the German office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, first set off from Berlin to the border between Ukraine and Poland to investigate the situation of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war and their actual needs. Merzer visited every border crossing along the border and witnessed first-hand the plight of a large number of refugees.
Chris Melzer/Chris Wolf, spokesman for the German office of UNHCR Melzer
Melzer: "In my eighteen days at the border, I saw tens of thousands of refugees. I've spoken to hundreds of people whose stories are very similar: They're woken up by the sound of bombs, packing up simple and important things like passports, change, or stuffed animals for kids, and hurrying away from home.
When a refugee family arrives at the border, it is usually the father who comes over, hugs his wife, and then hugs his children. He then returned to Kiev or elsewhere in Ukraine to fight. Mothers and children join the ranks of refugees waiting to pass the border. It was a very heartbreaking scene!
When we talk to refugees, the one I hear the most from my mother is 'When can we go home' and the one I hear most from my children is 'I miss my dad so much'.
I see these people all day, especially the kids. I would think: Oh my God! This was my mother's childhood. In 1945, when she was 9 years old, she had to flee World War II. My mom is now 86 years old, and she sits in front of the TV for weeks on end, watching sixteen or even eighteen hours a day. She sees her childhood again, a true representation in full HD and color. She was crying all day and kept asking me: When will I be able to stop? I don't know, I don't have the answer. ”
At the beginning of the war, thousands of Germans, with the same shock and helplessness, watched the tv news. But it quickly became clear that there would be many refugees fleeing Ukraine who would need help. So the people quickly and spontaneously organized themselves to collect funds and relief supplies, and organized convoys to transport supplies directly from Germany to neighboring Poland. On their return, Ukrainian refugees were taken to Germany and placed in volunteer homes.
Chris Wolfe is one of many volunteer rescue initiatives. He used the power of social media to bring together the power of the people, and received echoes and support beyond his imagination.
Chris Wolf/Chris Melzer volunteer Chris Wolf
Wolff: "I've seen reports of the war everywhere in the media before, and it doesn't seem to affect me too much. But Ukraine is very different for me, perhaps because it is closer to us, or because of seeing innocent citizens in a peaceful city being suddenly attacked. So I said to myself: I can't look anymore, I have to do something.
I decided to go to the Polish-Ukrainian border and get relief supplies to the refugees instead of putting a few bills in the donation box. Our goal is to fill the trucks going directly to the border with relief supplies, deliver them directly to those who need them most, including baby food, daily necessities, hygiene products, etc., and then make a clear sign on the trunk of the car, so that Ukrainian families across the border can come directly to pick them up.
Men in Ukraine must fight for their country. When their own wives and children are helped and have real security, they can feel at ease to fight. ”
Many individuals and grassroots organizations like Wolff are actively supporting Ukraine by taking refugees to their homes and resettling them temporarily. UNHCR's Melzer wants volunteers to work more organized and coordinated to achieve the best results.
Melzer: "I admire them very much. I not only praise their unity, but also salute them! On the other hand, I would like to remind everyone to minimize individual actions and to contact and coordinate with NGOs and local governments so that your help will be more efficient. Getting what you need most to the right place isn't that easy. For example, tons of children's diapers may be available in place A, and they are more needed in other places such as place B. So coordination is very critical. ”
Melzer stressed in particular that assistance to Ukrainian refugees will be long-term and will require sustained and effective efforts by the United Nations organization, the Government and the people.
Melzer: "The presence of more than two million refugees in about two weeks is truly unprecedented. There is no doubt that this will be a challenge, a challenge for all countries. But I'm also sure there will be a solution. Germany is a well-organized country with a lot of volunteers and people willing to help. We have seen a great unity in Germany and in many other countries, and that is why I am very confident.
This is not a Crisis in Ukraine, nor a Crisis in Poland, it is at least a European crisis, in fact an international crisis. In a word, it is sharing. Ukraine's neighbours could not be left to deal with the refugee problem alone, but support was needed. We have seen help from other EU countries, which is good news for rejoicing. ”
This is a report by Du Jia, a special correspondent of UN News.
Chris Melzer/Chris Wolf assists a convoy of Ukrainian refugees at the Polish border
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