On the 2nd September 2014 UNHCR estimated that the number of displaced persons in Ukraine was over 226,000, and they admit that this is a conservative estimate. If that is not bad enough news, the fact that a very cold Ukrainian winter is just around the corner will make the lives of these displaced persons unbearable.
However, for a few lucky families, there may be a glimmer of hope: a small charity has been established in Stockport, Cheshire, UK called www.caravansforpeace.org.
The primary aims of the charity are threefold:
- To seek donations of small, family size caravans {4 have already been donated}
- To arrange transport of caravans by sea to Odesa
- To arrange siting and the installation of utilities in Ukraine
A possible location to load caravans onto ships:
Dr Warren Leigh, a founder of the Charity explains “We have arranged for a lady Counsellor in the Odesa to meet the caravans on arrival and ensure that they will be delivered to the families in need. Ideally, we would prefer no money donations, as the optimum option would be for the supply of caravans. If you have the capacity to do any of these requirements above, we can try to help coordinate this activity.”
BBC News Reporter Tom Burridge reported on the 5th August 2014 on the plight of the many families housed in an unused factory in East Kyiv – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28656145 , it makes for harrowing viewing.