Patrick Wögerbauer doesn’t have a particularly large apartment. “But there would definitely be room for a small family in our children’s room.” And Tanja Kraska also wants to help: “We could also accommodate up to three people.” The offers from the two players from Linz are just two of many that Albin Walchshofer has received in the past few days.
Born in Sierning, he founded the “Ukrainenhilfe Leonding” in his new hometown. “I felt a need when I saw the terrible pictures of the war,” he says. He now has 15 colleagues at his side – and hundreds of offers of help. A butcher from the community makes his storage space available, and a Ukrainian woman who lives in Linz has set up a collection point in Pasching.
“We want as many communities as possible to start their own campaign. Alberndorf has already contacted us. We can’t save all Ukrainians, but we simply have to help,” says Walchshofer.
“No clothes please”
Medicines, baby food, diapers, wet wipes, batteries and hygiene items are urgently needed.
In addition to numerous private individuals, Upper Austria’s large aid organizations also collect for the suffering population in Ukraine. Bandages, canned food, blankets and everything babies need, “but please no clothes, there are enough of those at the moment,” says Christian Schörkhuber, head of Volkshilfe refugee care. The donations in kind can be handed in to the aid organization’s shops and are then to be transported to the western Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi. While the Red Cross provides emergency beds, Volkshilfe organizes bridging accommodation for war refugees arriving in Upper Austria, where people can stay for up to six months. At the moment, however, hardly any people from the Ukraine have come to Upper Austria, says Marion Huber from Caritas Upper Austria. “Those who have already arrived have mostly stayed with relatives and friends who live here,” she says. For on-site help, one is in contact with the Caritas partners. “We have to clarify what donations in kind are really needed and how we can transport them,” says Huber.
Demo in Linz
A crowd filled Linz’s Martin-Luther-Platz yesterday evening, a demonstration against the escalation of violence in Ukraine. Between the heads of the people Ukrainian flags and symbols of peace rose. “We have to take to the streets,” said Gunther Trübswasser, former chair of SOS Human Rights. “We have to show that Putin’s madness will not be tolerated.” “Don’t always just talk about solidarity, we also have to live solidarity,” said demonstrator Alexander Rath.
“Our friends, our relatives, our children are dying,” said a speaker into the microphone, her voice cracking. “Our country is falling apart.” Silence. Before she started singing in Ukrainian. Dozens of cell phone cameras were pulled out. Before thunderous applause filled the place again.
Source: Nachrichten
