The war in the East of Ukraine lasts three years, daily fighting is taking place, leading to the death of civilians. The war takes people from their families, homes and the future. In the center of Europe, in the 21st century. The needs and realities in which the peaceful population of Donbass survive were briefed by representatives of the Humanitarian Staff of Rinat Akhmetov and a family affected by the fighting during a briefing in Brussels.

According to the UN, 3.8 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance. Of these, 2.3 million people live in areas beyond Ukraine's control, including 600,000 people living near the demarcation line. More than 620,000 people need food, of which about 38,000 are temporary settlers who were forced to leave their homes. More than 200 children were injured.

Children and old people are dying from armed conflict, they live in fear and hunger. Every day, millions of people try to survive in inhuman conditions. And all of them without exception need a guarantee of security and the cessation of the war. As a result of the conflict, people suffered huge damage, which includes their housing, the opportunity to work, earn a living and take care of families, educate children, health, medical and social services, pay pensions and benefits, and general well-being.

"Humanitarian headquarters is a personal initiative of one person, Rinat Akhmetov. This organization is aimed at rapid response and provision of practical and humanitarian assistance to civilians. Headquarters has been helping people cope with this disaster for three years already.. At first, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, which has been working since 2005, provided assistance to the peaceful population. In May 2014, the Foundation began evacuation and resettlement of civilians. In August 2014, the Humanitarian Headquarters of Rinat Akhmetov was established on the basis of the Foundation. His main goal was to save people. Help them survive, provide the necessary assistance. Over three years of work, the Humanitarian Headquarters saved more than one million people in the east of Ukraine from starvation, disease and shelling and became the largest humanitarian mission in the country, "said Alexander Vishnyakov, the director of the Humanitarian Staff of Rinat Akhmetov, during a press conference..

Since August 2014, the Staff has evacuated more than 39,000 people from the war zone, issued 11.7 million. Food kits for adults and children, more than 100 000 people received targeted medical care and psychological support.

In the course of military operations, the rehabilitation of wounded children has become one of the most popular projects. During the first year, 58 children were rehabilitated. Among them, a five-year-old Milan from Mariupol. During the shelling in January 2015, the girl lost her mother, who covered her daughter with herself. Milan amputated her leg, and now she gets used to her prosthesis.

"Every day I thank God that he sent us so many merciful people. They all gave my granddaughter a piece of his heart. I would like to express special gratitude to the Humanitarian Staff of Rinat Akhmetov, who helped Milan with treatment and rehabilitation. The psychologists of the Staff worked with my granddaughter for two years and I see how calmer she became and how she began to get used to a peaceful life, "says Olga Abdurashitova, grandmother and guardian of Little Milan.

The scale of the disaster in the East of Ukraine is so great that even the largest humanitarian mission can not cope with it alone. It is thanks to the combined efforts of international humanitarian missions such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, the Man in Need and the Humanitarian Headquarters of Rinat Akhmetov, during these three years it was possible to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in a large European country.

Since February 28, 2017, the activity of the Headquarters in uncontrolled territories has been blocked by representatives of self-proclaimed "local authorities". 500,000 people were left without help.

But people affected by the war still need help and support mechanisms. It is necessary to attract the efforts and attention of governments, business and civil society.

"Today, humanitarian organizations are not able to provide the necessary assistance to older people and children in areas beyond Ukraine's control.

Therefore, the most important part of uniting our efforts is to report to the European audiences the stories of the victims of this war. Specific people. They can not regain their former well-being. But they all need help to save their future, "stressed Natalia Yemchenko, a member of the Board of Trustees in the Humanitarian Staff of Rinat Akhmetov. - Europe should receive information about this war from the source. We urge you to write about the victims of this war in the center of Europe. That this never happened again ".

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