The Australian-Ukrainian community is devastated by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam by Russian armed forces, with many Australian based Ukrainian families desperately worried about parents, relatives and friends who have been left stranded by raising floodwaters and who have told them about Russian soldiers drinking and shooting at Ukrainians as they try to flee.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) tax-deductible humanitarian aid charity, Ukraine Crisis Appeal, has jumped into action and has started a special appeal to provide life saving emergency support for Kherson and its residents.
A ‘Stop Russia’s Ecocide’ rally organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria and the AUO has also been organised for tomorrow, Friday 9 June at 4:30pm outside Parliament House, Spring St, Melbourne.
“For our community members with family in the Kherson region, this is an unbelievably difficult time. Some have only arrived in the last few months to Australia, having already been forced to flee their homes as a result of Russian occupation,” said Co-Chairs Stefan Romaniw OAM and Kateryna Argyrou.
“The distress and concern about the impending humanitarian and ecological crises created by Russia is acute. Our community members have families whose houses and apartments are submerged or flooded. They have been told about people standing on roofs, desperate to be saved.
“Imagine if this was to happen to the Warragamba Dam in Sydney or the Gordon River Dam in Tasmania?
“Australians can help by donating to our humanitarian aid charity, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. We will be sending funds directly to Ukraine to assist victims of Russia’s latest barbarous act, already accused by many of being a war crime.
“An estimated 16,000 people residing in the areas at risk will need to be supported, through evacuation.
“Over 40,000 people have left the region and both groups need first response support: hygiene and water, shelter and psychosocial support.
“Yet again, Russia has shown total disregard for human life, the environment and our world. There can be no doubt that Russia is a terrorist state.
“Its brutal and illegal war against Ukraine is causing untold damage, suffering and destruction.
“For the sake of peace and global security, Ukraine must win.
“We remind the world that for Ukraine to win, it needs the support of all its partners, including Australia. Military assistance is essential in helping end Russia’s war against Ukraine once and for all,” they added.
To make a donation to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) go to: https://www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org/
Photos & videos are provided by Serhii Chyzhyk, Sydney, Australia, from his home town of Kherson. His house has been flooded…
