From June 17 to 25, the Ukrainian Hub in the heart of Brussels, opposite the European Parliament, hosts the photo exhibition "We Near". It brings together more than 40 photographs by famous Ukrainian photographers. The subjects of their pictures tell the stories of rescue, assistance and support of people by the volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross: the exhibition takes visitors through the most tragic events for Ukrainians - from the first hours of the full-scale invasion to the liquidation of the consequences of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station explosion recently.
To see more photos, click here.
The opening also featured a panel discussion on the current humanitarian situation, the beginning of Ukraine's recovery process and the assistance provided by the Ukrainian Red Cross to the population.
The following participated in the discussion:
- Maxim Dotsenko, general director of the Ukrainian Red Cross
- Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union
- Peter Klanso, International Director of the Danish Red Cross
- Willy Bergognier, manager of a strategic partnership with the EU, Mercy Corps (Platform of humanitarian NGOs in Ukraine)
- Dharmendr Kanani, chief spokesperson of the "Friends of Europe" organization
- Anna Maria Madsen, chief consultant of the Permanent Representation of Denmark to the EU.
Maxim Dotsenko emphasized that everyone's efforts are significant in terms of rebuilding and restoring Ukraine: "The Ukrainian Red Cross is not only covering the population's basic needs but is already taking steps toward the country's recovery: we are rebuilding high-voltage power lines and medical facilities. And this discussion about rebuilding the country gives us a broader vision of our participation and role in this area. Now we are most involved in physical, mental, and social rehabilitation. Together with state institutions and local authorities, we have already built a rehabilitation center. At the beginning of the full-scale war, we built a shelter for internally displaced pregnant women and women with babies (in just 4 months).
So we think about it, we participate in it, and we try to emphasize it at every opportunity: we are not only a humanitarian organization, but we are also a driver of development because we are involved in building a new system of social services, we provide access to health care, and it is essential for us to participate in the recovery of Ukraine," concluded the Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
The Ukrainian Red Cross has brought together 1,500 employees and 8,000 volunteers to help those most need it. And more than 10 million people have already received the necessary and timely support. This was made possible, first and foremost, thanks to the ongoing assistance of partners in Ukraine and worldwide. And such important events as the discussion of the needs of the population in the heart of Brussels are an example of how the Ukrainian Red Cross uses every opportunity to ensure that the world does not forget about the war in Ukraine, joins the aid today, and even more people will receive the necessary support tomorrow.
Given the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe, people need help every day, and the Ukrainian Red Cross calls on the business community to mobilize resources to support the affected population. To contact the humanitarian organization's specialists, please email partners@redcross.org.ua or call +380 63 063 7713.
