As a result of the fighting in Ukraine, many people, especially in the eastern parts of the country, have fled their homes. In course of the seven first months of 2014, 2740 refugees have come to Murmansk Oblast, according to official numbers. In addition, many refugees have arrived in Murmansk by their own. Murmansk Red Cross has registered 82 families that came outside of the organized groups.
It is expected that some 510 new refugees will come to Murmansk by the end of August. The Regional Government in Murmansk has established an office to coordinate reception and to assist the refugees.
Murmansk Red Cross is responsible for humanitarian help to the refugees. They are collecting and redistributing clothes, shoes, domestic utensils, toiletries and food. Many volunteers are helping Murmansk Red Cross in this work. Much of the food and clothes has been donated by people in Murmansk, something that Frode Berg from Finnmark Red Cross sees this as a very positive development: “Campaigns to collect humanitarian aid from amongst the population is something we see more and more of in Russia”, he says to BarentsObserver.
The two Red Cross organizations in Murmansk and Finnmark have been cooperating for several years. For the two last years the cooperation has focused on strengthening the capacities in Murmansk Red Cross. “This cooperation has continued unaffectedly by the other changes in the relations to Russia in the last year. Political disagreements are of course not an issue when it comes to the Red Cross’ activities.”
Finnmark Red Cross has offered its sister organization in Murmansk assistance with personell resources and clothes. “It is normal for us to offer help when a neighboring district faces challenges and is in need of extra resources, the same concerns our partner in Murmansk”, Berg says. “This is cooperation, not relief work”, he underlines.
Murmansk Red Cross has said that they have enough personnel resources to cope with the situation. There is however a large demand for warm winter clothes and food, and Finnmark Red Cross has therefore started collecting warm clothes and opened a bank account through which people in Norway can give contributions.
