Over the year since the activation of the Kursk region emergency response, the Russian Red Cross assisted 142,026 civilians affected by shelling of border districts, evacuation and destruction. Most of the beneficiaries applied for multiple types of assistance, and more than once, which means that the overall scope of assistance has been much greater. Funding in excess of 600 mln rubles has been allocated to support Kursk region residents over the period.
A few hours into the emergency RRC staff and volunteers were deployed to the field to provide support at every temporary accommodation point, deliver humanitarian aid and arrange targeted assistance and psychological support. The Russian Red Cross work is closely coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and federal and regional authorities to ensure a fast and adequate response.
“The Kursk emergency posed a challenge to us that needed to be addressed in the most intense and comprehensive manner. It was fundamentally important for us that the support provided by the Russian Red Cross did not duplicate existing services, but rather complemented them — addressing the needs that had previously gone unmet. So, in organizing our relief effort we applied a flexible approach responsive to the beneficiaries’ current needs: a year ago we prioritized large-scale distribution of aid packages and pharmacy vouchers. And today we are focusing on targeted services and long-term assistance, including physical and mental health rehabilitation for Kursk residents,” said Pavel Savchuk, President of the Russian Red Cross.
Over the year, RRC distributed a total of 62,239 food packages and an equal number of hygiene kits. In addition, 26,000 persons received pharmacy vouchers with 3,000 ruble balance per voucher, and 31,000 persons received purchase certificates for essential goods worth 5,000 rubles each. More than 15 thousand people were given targeted assistance including medical goods, personal care products, and rehabilitation equipment.
During the first month, 706 items of essential domestic appliances were purchased, such as washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, TV sets, etc., to be installed at 35 temporary accommodation points (TAPs). At the same time, child playgrounds were outfitted within TAPs, and household items were purchased as requested by the affected families.
“Over the past year, the Russian Red Cross supported over 142 thousand Kursk region residents who were affected by the emergency. And there is substance behind those figures: family-size food packages, medicines bought with pharmacy vouchers, domestic appliances at TAPs, playgrounds, and psychologists ready to hear and help more than 30 thousand people including children. They helped people trace their dear ones and provided equipment for our hospitals. The Russian Red Cross operates where pain is strongest, working with passion and professionalism. RRC has become a reliable partner when it comes to protecting Kursk residents in time of need,” pointed out Alexander Khinshtein, acting Governor of the Kursk region.
The Russian Red Cross activity was specially focused on psychological and psychosocial support – the total number of people counselled exceeded 30 thousand, including 4,400 children who stay in TAPs, and more than 10 thousand adults who requested it through the Kursk regional branch. Psychologists visited TAPs to counsel individually and in groups, and facilitate support and development activities for children. At the same time, the federal-level RRC crisis hotline was strengthened – since August 2024 it was used by 7,110 people, the peak load reaching 400-500 calls per day in the first few days.
A parallel, tracing hotline was launched by the Russian Red Cross for those searching for missing family members. Over the year, it received over 15,000 calls, and 2,740 people were located. RRC also sent out a special search party as soon as the situation allowed, going to border districts of the Kursk region to locate missing people through door-to-door inquiry.
Response activities have also included support of healthcare institutions. RRC purchased emergency surgery equipment for a general hospital operating room, an ocular microscope for the regional ophthalmology clinic, central venous catheter insertion kits, a lung ventilation unit for the Lgov Central District Hospital, a dental treatment unit for a clinic in Rylsk and also provided body armor sets for ambulance crews. All that equipment was selected based on the real-life challenges faced by doctors when working under extra strain.
In addition, nearly 35 thousand displaced residents of the Kursk region received RRC assistance in 29 other regions throughout Russia.
“This substantial assistance would be impossible without contributions from people all over the country who really care. Throughout the year, thousands of people from other regions were helping in ways they could: some provided financial assistance, others donated clothing and food items, and many chose to volunteer. We continue targeted fundraising to assist victims of shelling in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, you can send humanitarian parcels by Russian Post to our regional branch in Kursk or call them directly. Help is still needed, and it makes a difference even a year after!” - Pavel Savchuk added.
