Since last weekend, emergency accommodation for people fleeing has been available in the Freistadt district sports hall. The Red Cross Freistadt did this on behalf of Upper Austria. State government set up and prepared in the past few days. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, the news came that the first refugees from Ukraine were on their way to Freistadt. After a very short lead time, the accommodation was put into operation in the evening.
181 refugees arrived in the city in three coaches and several private cars. They were received by the Red Cross in Freistadt and taken to the emergency shelters. A high proportion of the arriving people were small children and young people. “Their emotional burden is very high. They have been on the road for many days and are accordingly exhausted. Some children are also separated from their parents,” reports Manuel Reisinger from the Freistadt Red Cross.
The Freistadt Red Cross has been providing medical and medical care for the people who have arrived around the clock since Thursday evening – with the support of general practitioners and volunteers. The Red Cross also provides food and drink. Up to 15 people are currently working daily in the emergency shelter. With the help of interpreters, language barriers could be quickly overcome and special needs catered for.
What is also striking: the people of Freistadt show enormous sympathy. Again and again there are inquiries about which things are urgently needed. “At the moment we mainly need hand and bath towels as well as travel bags or the like,” says Helmut Bergsmann, one of the volunteer Red Cross helpers on site. Unfortunately, slippers, slippers, eye patches (for sleeping) and hygiene items such as diapers, sanitary towels, shower gel or toothpaste are also in short supply. These items can be dropped off directly at the property at any time. Access to this can be found on the HAK Freistadt website. All other donations in kind, especially warm clothing, are collected by Volkshilfe and are to be handed in there. The Red Cross and Volkshilfe work closely together here.
Volunteers are very welcome. Anyone who wants to get involved should register with “Team Austria” (www.teamoesterreich.at) – and will be alerted if necessary. Interpreters are specifically sought. Please contact us at fr-mesast@o.roteskreuz.at.
Source: Nachrichten
