November 3, 2022
News
The war in Ukraine has affected millions civilians in many ways. Many have fled the country, thousands more died or been injured. Ruslan Mendilo, 73-year-old man from Chernihiv region, suffered severe burns after his house was hit by shelling. He can now afford medical care that can save his life thanks to the cash support provided by Caritas Czech Republic.
Cash support makes a difference in Ruslan’s life
Before the war, Ruslan and his wife Vira lived in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, very close to the border with Russia. In 2019, Ruslan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which made his life in wartime much more difficult.
The Mendilo family was helping Ukrainian soldiers and supplied them with food and water. It was during one of the deliveries of material aid when a bomb hit their property, destroying their farm and home. The fire reached Ruslan and his clothes caught fire. His wife Vira miraculously saved him by pulling him out of the building. However, Ruslan suffered severe burns all over his body and needed urgent medical attention for his injuries. But the nearest hospital was destroyed by bombs and Ruslan had to be transferred to Kyiv. Because of the war, the journey was very long and difficult. In order to get the treatment he needed, Ruslan was moved to Cherkasy where he stayed for almost 2 months. He was transferred other times because he fell ill with Covid, before finally moving to a village in the Lviv region.
Ruslan’s health condition is very poor. He is not able to eat, walk or speak on his own and his wife and daughter are taking care of him. His life depends on medical equipment, which is very expensive for Ruslan and Vira. To help them, Caritas Czech Republic, together with our partner Caritas Drohobych, is providing cash support to the couple. Thanks to this help, they are able to afford medical help and basic necessities.
Caritas Czech Republic is still helping Ukrainian people
Caritas Czech Republic has been helping people affected by the war in Ukraine since the start of the conflict. For example, we are providing refugees and internally displaced people with psychological support and humanitarian aid. Due to the Russian invasion of their home country, many Ukrainians left their homes in the areas that were hit the hardest, and fled to safer locations in the west of the country.
In cooperation with Caritas Ukraine and thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic we were able to provide different kinds of help and assistance to people affected by the conflict.
