The Russian Red Cross (the RRC) regional branch in Belgorod has launched the distribution of humanitarian aid and the acceptance of application forms for direct cash payments from residents of the territories affected by shelling in the region. More than 300 applications for cash payments have already been registered, and citizens continue to fill in application forms. The present support measure is organized with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
All those in need shall receive humanitarian aid and psychosocial support from the RRC specialists. As of today, there are 4,500 refugees from the town of Shebekino and other border areas in temporary accommodation points (TAPs) in the Belgorod region. People can apply for the cash payments and obtain information thereof at the RRC Regional branch in the Belgorod region and at the temporary accommodation points (TAPs).
“As of now, the RRC staff in Belgorod has already processed over 300 applications and continues to accept documents from citizens, there are about 200 people more on the waiting list. The amount of cash payments varies from RUB 5,000 to RUB 15,000 depending on the number of family members. The following categories can apply for cash payments: pregnant women, elderly people, families with children under 3 years old, women with physically challenged children, families with one breadwinner and families with 3 or more children. Additionally, people can receive humanitarian aid and psychosocial support from the RRC specialists. Everyone who wishes can join assistance by donating in support of the displaced people”, stated Pavel Savchuk, the President of the Russian Red Cross.
Everyone who wishes can donate on the Russian Red Cross website. The funds will be allocated to equip the temporary accommodation points (TAPs) and meet the individual needs of the suffered residents. The accounting on the allocated funds is being available for general public on a monthly basis on the Russian Red Cross website.
“Currently, specialists and psychologists from our regional branch are working at the Belgorod Arena stadium. They are helping to fill in documents for cash payments to residents evacuated from Shebekino and are providing them with psychosocial support. Since Friday, our psychologists have held over 150 family and individual counseling sessions. From the Belgorod Arena stadium people are placed in other TAPs in the region. Whose families who wish, can send their children to summer holiday camps in various regions of Russia”, – commented Nina Ushakova, the Head of the RRC Regional branch in the Belgorod region.
As of this moment, regional staff are identifying people’s needs and providing the necessary assistance.
“Approximately since May 27, there was shelling, our neighbors suffered, we have no apartment, the windows are broken. Then we were evacuated to Belgorod. We receive hot meals here: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Now we are filling in the documents at the Russian Red Cross for cash payments”, – Elena Tkatch, one of the evacuated residents from the town of Shebekino in the Belgorod region, shared her experience.
The Russian Red Cross has already delivered more than 1,500 units of bottled water, household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, kettles) and home care products to temporary accommodation points in the Belgorod region.
The children from evacuated areas are sent on vacation to summer holiday camps in Russian regions. In particular, more than 260 children have already arrived to the Kaluga region. On Sunday, June 4, volunteers and psychologists from the RRC Regional branch in Kaluga collectively with officials from of the regional government met the children from the town of Shebekino and accompanied them to their places of accommodation. The RRC regional branch shall continue its comprehensive activities with children, providing them with psychological support and humanitarian assistance. More information on basic necessities and possibilities of assistance in the Kaluga region is available via the telephone number 8(4842) 901-400.
