We continue to deliver food kits in Eastern Ukraine
Published: May 16, 2016 Reading time: 2 minutes
Despite the fact that the village of Novokalinovo is located just 15 km far from the nearest hot spot on the frontline, its residents have not seen any aid for two years. With support of Dutch Foundation Porticus, People in Need delivered one thousand of food kits for the most vulnerable residents of the village.
Irina Fedorovna, 50, came to the People in Need’s distribution point in the village of Novokalinovo with her grandson Maksim to receive a food ration for her family. Maksim is two years old only. The conflict in eastern Ukraine lasts the whole his life. He was one year old when their village came under fire for the first time. Maksim was barely able to talk back in that time, so he used to point his finger at the basement while crying to make his parents to go down there. Since then Maksim cries every time he hears any sort of shooting near the village.
Security situation in the village is much better today, compared to the last autumn. However, it is still dangerous and occasional fighting and shelling are happening around. “We don’t know who shoot at us”, says 69 years old Maria Aleksandrovna. “Do you think it is safe when a shell falls 30 meter away from my house? I only survived because I stayed in the house and did not went to my garden”.
Another person we met during the distribution is 80 years old Anna Efimovna. Anna sits calmly next to a pile of food kits, which she has just received together with her neighbor, while waiting for her to take the aid home. Anna was leaving her house when a shell felt outside and a piece shrapnel hit Anna’s hand. She shows us her hand with a mark at the place where it hit. Despite this, Anna stays optimistic: “People are very friendly here”, she says. “Nobody wants to fight, we just want to live here in peace. These are difficult times for everyone here and we are so glad that you support us”.
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