Expatica news

Ukraine: refugee rescue buses leave Olhão for Poland

Photo by Algarve Primeiro - UKRAINE: REFUGEE RESCUE BUSES LEAVE OLHÃO FOR POLANDFollowing the humanitarian crisis that currently affects Ukraine, the Municipality of Olhão is preparing a set of ‘rescue’ measures to support the Ukrainian people.

These measures will take place at various times, and in conjunction with the Association of Ukrainians in the Algarve and the teams that are on the ground.

So, this morning, a 50 seat bus left Olhão for Poland, with a translator and a nurse on board, to rescue refugees from the war zone.

Tomorrow morning, this humanitarian corridor will be reinforced with another bus, which continues with the same mission: to rescue Ukrainian war refugees.

The entire reception process will later be monitored by the competent authorities and with strong involvement of the Municipal Social Action.

This will be the first transport organised by the municipality, a situation that will be reassessed in the coming days, to consider the need to reinforce this aid.

In conjunction with the Association of Ukrainians in the Algarve, the Olhão Municipality are also collecting basic necessities.

Donations can be delivered to the former Bela Olhão building, next to the fishing port, until March 10th, between 9:30 am and 11:00 am and 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm. The collection is coordinated by the Fire and Civil Protection Office.

Necessary items are:

– Boots and thermal clothing (socks and underwear, for men, preferably large sizes);

– Sleeping bags, blankets and blankets;

– Non-perishable and uncooked foods (canned goods, preserves, snacks, dry biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar,…);

– Baby hygiene items (wipes, diapers,…);

– Basic medical equipment (compresses, bandages,…);

– First-aid supplies.

Regarding recent events and the help of the municipality, the Mayor, António Miguel Pina, emphasised that “the Ukrainian community in Olhão is one of the most important and respected; we couldn’t help but support when our countrymen are going through an ordeal of this nature. I am sure that, once again, the people of Olhão will join en masse in this movement of international solidarity in favour of the victims of war in Ukraine”.