Book of consolations
Heart under sight.
The war began, and the Kovalev family was forced to flee their native Mariupol. And when the danger seemed to have passed, the youngest daughter was suddenly diagnosed with a serious illness: a congenital heart disease - an open ductus arteriosus. Ufond program coordinator Svetlana Hisamova tells the story of refugees to journalist and public figure Dmitry Filimonov.
- Here is a girl - Polina Kovaleva. She is eight years old. Doctors diagnosed him with "congenital heart disease." Need surgery. I’ll tell you about the girl. There was a wonderful family - dad, mom, son and daughter. They lived nicely in the city of Mariupol. And then came the war, and the family became refugees. Now they live in Odessa. She was most worried about Pauline’s move. Her heart failed and ached. What do you think?
- The story is terrible, but, unfortunately, not exceptional. The war has brought grief to millions of people, but it is impossible to embrace the vast and help everyone at once. It’s great that thanks to your activities, such stories are personalized. Poor child. I would like to know more about her. Talk to her. Age is very interesting. This is still a child, but already a thinking person. It is very important that she gets support now.
- You know, this family was left without any support at all. The father in a foreign city spins like a squirrel in a wheel - to feed the family, to pay for housing. From the state they receive crumbs - 884 UAH each. Do you think the state is involved enough in the lives of these migrants?
- The main thing is not to lose faith. As for state support, there is nothing to think about - it is not enough. UAH 884 is negligible, considering that the subsistence level per person in Ukraine is set at UAH 1,300. I wish Polina’s father perseverance and strength, and use every opportunity to save her daughter. Everyone who asks, receives, who seeks, finds, who knocks, will be opened.
People left their native places against their will, lost their livelihoods, and the state is simply obliged in such circumstances to provide housing, social benefits, employment opportunities.
When the anti-terrorist operation began, no one gave the refugees transport for evacuation, temporary accommodation, or guarantees for the restoration of lost property. Today, a lot of work is done by various volunteer and charitable organizations. They took over some of the state functions.
- One charitable fund which helps inhabitants of Donbass, refused to help this family. Do you know why? Because they moved from Mariupol to Odessa. So, formally, they are no longer victims. How do you like this approach?
- I admit that funds may have purely formal restrictions, which they must adhere to. But in this case, the foundation, while maintaining communication with other similar organizations, should redirect these people, tell them what is the alternative, where they can go. After all, the fund’s task is to help. It must be understood that people who have left their homes sometimes have to work even harder than those who have remained in the frontline.
- Polina’s operation will be endovascular - without opening the chest. She will be injected with an occluder through the artery - such a special "patch". The operation will be performed free of charge. But you have to pay for the occluder, and it is very expensive - 65,805 UAH. All hope is only for those who will read this conversation with you, and will help. What degree of sympathy do you think is in our society today?
- I believe in people. And I know for sure that many are ready to help. The need to selflessly serve others is one of the key human needs. Although we now see a very high degree of hatred in society, we also see a high level of self-organization and assistance to those in need.