Mayo’s Ukraine support group issues urgent plea for help
Resources are running low as needs grow on a weekly basis.
The voluntary organisation leading the response in Mayo to the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine has issued an urgent plea for ongoing help.
Lily Luzan, a director of Candle of Grace, a Chernobyl charity set up a number of years ago and now sending donations by truck to the war-torn nation as well as working closely with Ukrainians arriving in Mayo, revealed the demands on them are continuing to grow.
They are extremely appreciative of the support and generosity shown to date by the people of the county, but their resources are running low because the problems caused by the war are escalating by the day.
Candle of Grace has moved its headquarters from the former Leitir National School in Islandeady to a spacious facility kindly provided by Shaw Commercials at Breaffy Road Retail Park in Castlebar due to the increased number of Ukrainians residing in the town, at nearby Breaffy Woods Hotel and other towns and communities across the county.
While they are managing in terms of supplying clothing, shoes and toiletries to those in need, as well as providing English language classes and psychology services, a need remains for more host families, transport facilities, and food, clothing and medical supplies to be distributed by the Red Cross in the Kyiv region.
Assistance is also sought in finding work for the Ukraine people residing in Mayo.
“They need to be distracted from the stress they have suffered. They cannot sit all day long thinking about their families and their homes because things are not getting better there,” said Ms. Luzan.
Speaking at a media briefing in the TF Royal Theatre, Dmytro Buhlak of the Red Cross Society in the Kyiv region said the people living in Kyiv are scared, angry and confused.
“When I talk about it, I keep seeing the scared eyes of young children. Terrible things have been done to our people. I don't see it as a war between Russia and Ukraine. It is a war between good and evil, darkness against light. I sincerely hope the crimes committed against Ukraine are investigated.
“I am not looking forward to returning there because of the destruction of so many lives, but they need all the support that the good people of Mayo can give them.”
Mayo native Dr. Conor Farrell has joined Candle of Grace to help the Ukraine cause by gathering as much medical and pharmaceutical supplies as he possibly can to bring to Kyiv.
“I want to keep the awareness of the Ukraine issue alive because there is a tendency for such issues to wane in people's minds as time passes by.
“This is a senseless war and we have to continue to do everything we can to help week in, week out. So far I have been disappointed in collecting the supplies required in the Kyiv region, but I will keep going.
“I hope Irish people don't switch off. There is so much to be done,” he said.