John –
I'm Inna, a member of the Client and Community Outreach team for the IRC and a recently resettled Ukrainian refugee.
When I left Ukraine last year, I only brought two weeks of clothes with me. I am so thankful to be living in London now, but my heart is still with my hometown of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, especially during the holidays... and during the frigid winter season there. (Our teams are warning that Ukraine's winter will be the coldest yet since the current conflict escalated.)
This year, many families remain torn apart by the conflict and are gathered together in temporary shelters. Many of my friends and family members still in Ukraine can’t rely on access to heat or electricity.
Children and families urgently need humanitarian assistance (heaters, warm blankets and clothes) to stay warm — but the truth is that there aren't enough resources to reach everyone right now.
In this season of giving, I hope you'll remember families like mine in Ukraine and around the world and give a gift of hope, comfort and warmth. If you make a gift using this link, it will be 3X matched: https://go.rescue.org/e/937243/donate-3x-families-crisis/9vxj2/780630694/h/lYZpq36z6__dv8H2pY9rU9rvs1J2aTCLNkriph0litE
During this critical time, my colleagues are hoping to reach as many people as possible — The IRC is distributing warm blankets, hats and mittens. We're also distributing heaters as blackouts and damaged neighborhoods make it difficult to keep homes warm. And we're providing spaces where children can continue to learn and celebrate the holidays despite these challenging circumstances.
And I can assure you the impact is tremendous.
Many times last winter, my own mother had just four hours of power each day to do all her cooking, cleaning and laundry. If that period of electricity was in the middle of the night, she’d wake up and do what she needed to do. I fear this winter will be similarly challenging, or worse.
Please, I hope you will make a gift to fund life-changing programs like these – for families in Ukraine and others around the world – this holiday season. If you make a gift today, it will be 3X matched: https://go.rescue.org/e/937243/donate-3x-families-crisis/9vxj2/780630694/h/lYZpq36z6__dv8H2pY9rU9rvs1J2aTCLNkriph0litE
As a Ukrainian, it means the world to me that supporters like you are doing what you can to help. Because at such a moment, it actually feels like we're not alone. In the whole tragedy, in this whole horrible war, knowing people around the world are caring and giving shows me what strong support we have.
– Inna
My husband Wlliam and our dog, Cooper, in Kaniv, Central Ukraine last year. Thank you so much for listening to my story and for your generous support this holiday season.
Inna Gordiienko
Client and Community Outreach Officer
International Rescue Committee
|
