More than RUB 360 million have been fundraised within two days to help the victims, family members of those injured and killed in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, Moscow-area concert venue. The funds fundraised through Sberbank to the account of the Russian Red Cross are designated for targeted assistance and long-term support.
The tragedy took place at Crocus City Hall in the town of Krasnogorsk, the Moscow region, on March 22, 2024. According to the latest official data, more than 130 people were killed, over 150 were injured, including minors. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation classified the incident as a terrorist attack.
“In two days, by joint efforts of the entire country, we managed to fundraise RUB 367,847,147, which will be used to provide long-term assistance to everyone who suffered in this terrible tragedy. In this case, we mean not months, but rather years of work. The complete psychological and physical recovery takes time. We are aware of the responsibility that we are expected to face. Coordination of support measures with existing measures is essential”, commented Pavel Savchuk, the President of the Russian Red Cross.
Among the total amount of donations collected, RUB 227,140,285 were received from individuals (RUB 172,821 of transferred donations). It is an unparalleled case for RRC fundraising in recent years. RUB 140,706,861 were transferred by legal entities, including large-scale companies and individual entrepreneurs.
According to Pavel Savchuk, a special commission is currently being formed. In accordance with the new standards of the RRC, when announcing nationwide fundraising campaigns, the Special Commission shall include representatives of social services authorities from Moscow and the Moscow region, public figures, representatives of victims, as well as representatives from the RRC.
The functions of the RRC Special Commission are as follows:
- development, coordination, monitoring of the effectiveness of support measures;
- selection of categories of beneficiaries and areas for spending funds;
- approval of the procedure for providing assistance, including the list of necessary documents;
- monitoring of charitable donations usage and accounting review.
Directions for assistance:
- assistance in recovery after treatment;
- psychosocial support;
- long-term psychological assistance;
- targeted assistance with an individual approach;
- other areas in line with identified needs and decisions of the Special Commission.
Based on the RRC previous experience, when providing assistance in cases of such tragedies, funds can be allocated, in particular, to long-term psychological assistance (1-2 years depending on the needs), health resort treatment, provision of rehabilitation means, conditioning of housing for persons with acquired disabilities, settling individual difficult life situations and full recovery, etc. The specific list of needs from the RRC is subject to clarification and determination jointly with responsible specialists, as well as the Special Commission that is being formed. In collaboration with social workers, the list of needs will be regularly clarified and finalized.
If there is a need for urgent assistance, victims and their family members can already now contact the Assistance Center personally or by a call (8 800 550-50-30). The address in Moscow is Bulvar Stroitelei, 4, bldg. 1, floor 1 (Business Center “Kubik”).
From the outbreak of the tragedy to the present day, psychosocial support can be received by any person 24/7. The RRC toll-free number is 8-800-250-18-59.
During these two days, the RRC volunteers and specialists help in routing donors at blood transfusion stations in Moscow, coordinating donation issues and providing psychological consultations. RRC specialists also deployed a mobile emergency unit at the scene of the tragedy in Moscow and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, take part in rubble removal and search works. The RRC organized hot meals for participants in emergency response work (Ministry of Emergency Situations and other agencies).
Once the Special Commission determines support measures for victims and the required amount of funds, a part of the funds can be redirected to support victims in other emergency situations, for example, victims in the Belgorod region after shelling.
A report on expenditure of funds will be publicly available on the website of the Russian Red Cross.
