Oksana Soloshenko knows this, and is moved: «I see that you Sardinians are moving to help us Ukrainians, that you are sending money, medicines and clothes, that you are organizing to receive those who flee your country invaded by the Russians. Thank you: you are special ». In Cagliari for three years, where she married a Sardinian, Oksana, 45, is one of the women who relieve us of the care for our elderly and non self-sufficient family members. He cries for his Ukraine, smiles for the solidarity from the Sardinians: not only that expressed in words, "however important", but also with actions.

A contest of altruism

Dozens of initiatives are used to collect aid, even in the smallest towns on the island. "We receive phone calls from people who, in order to provide shelter for the incoming Ukrainian refugees, make available a room in their house, or a cottage by the sea or a vacant apartment." Sergio Piredda, president of the regional committee of the Italian Red Cross, as a Sardinian knows the generosity of the Sardinians, "but it is so much, it is moving". Even at the Curia of Cagliari there is an organization to host those fleeing the conflict. The Red Cross prepares an agreement with pharmacies so that customers can pay for drugs to be shipped to Ukraine.

Mobilization everywhere

Many groups collect money, clothes, drugs, food: to be delivered, despite a thousand ups and downs, to the Ukrainian population exhausted by cold, hunger, grief, disease, lack of electricity. And terror.

From the church of Santa Restituta in Cagliari, of Byzantine rite and a reference point for Ukrainians living in the south of the island, the first shipments of clothes and food have already left, with the escort of the honorary consul Anthony Grande, much loved by Ukrainians who live here and who are returning after the mission. But the logistical problems, especially with regard to medicines and the food to be sent, are not few: this is why money continues to be the best way to help. "With the money we buy drugs, food and clothes near Ukraine, without transport costs and customs problems", points out Piredda from the Red Cross, and the same speech is made at the Archdiocese of Cagliari: bank and postal current accounts to collect the sums donated by the kind-hearted Sardinians (they are on the Internet sites of the regional CRI and Caritas).

The welcome

We help there, where the bombs arrive, and we help here, those who had to flee, leaving everything they had in Ukraine. This afternoon there is a conference call convened by the prefect of Cagliari, Gianfranco Tomao, to discuss with all the bodies involved for the reception of Ukrainian refugees. About a hundred arrivals are expected tomorrow: people rescued by the two caravans that left the capital. There are also many unaccompanied minors, whose reception will be decided by the Juvenile Court.

(Unioneonline)

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