WARSZAWA, Poland — More than 4.4 million Ukrainians have sought refuge in neighboring countries as Russia’s attacks continue.
A Northeast Ohio native who works with the Red Cross, is now on the ground in Poland. Jenelle Eli, a Trumbull County native, shared her experience with 3News’ Sara Shookman.
“Right now we're seeing people as they cross the border. And it just gives me goosebumps to hear their stories,” Eli said, an emergency delegate with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society. “But also to see all the humanitarians who are running to help them.”
Eli has done refugee resettlement work and responded to worldwide disasters for a decade. But this time, it's playing out before her eyes.
She says the journey, whether by foot, bus or even private car, is a scary one for Ukrainian families, often without communication, like cell phones or internet. They can carry little with them, and yet it takes every ounce of energy they have.
“Home is more than walls and a roof. It's a community. It's your entire life, your hope, your family,” she said. “One of my colleagues actually noticed that a lot of the little kids were dressed in really nice outfits. And for a moment it surprised her. And then she said, of course, that shouldn't have surprised me because people took their best outfits with them. It really broke my heart a little bit.”
In the short term, the Red Cross offers toiletries, food, pillows, and kitchen supplies. But sometimes what's needed most is a hug and cup of coffee. Long term, refugees need jobs and cash, for rent and fuel.
“When people donate financially, we can then spend those funds on what's needed most,” she said. “At the Red Cross, we're trying to roll out a cash program so we can just get cash in the hands of people so they can spend it on whatever they need, whether it's school, uniforms, fuel, rent, they can really decide.”
The uncertainty is so overwhelming, and the starting over so tough, some families are choosing to go back into Ukraine. They’re choosing danger over no end in sight.
“That doesn't necessarily mean that they're not scared, but a lot of people left parents there, pets there, their lives. And they just didn't expect to be gone this long,” said Eli. “Some people are making this decision to go back either to grab stuff or help, you know, take family members back to safety, or for other reasons.”
While we all grapple to understand the realities of war, she hopes we're also seeing the refugees' resilience.
“Yeah, they need aid and they need hygiene products, maybe mobile charging and maybe a bit of cash to help them get through. But they're also helping each other a lot,” she said. “That slight bit of good news and of hope is something I'd love everyone to know is happening here too.”
Eli encourages Ohioans who want to help to make donations. She also says they can volunteer here at home with the American Red Cross, responding to local families in need, or helping refugees we expect are coming -- to resettle.
“There are crises every day in Ohio and people can volunteer with the Red Cross to help families in need there, whether it's to a home fire or a natural disaster,” she said.
Click here to find out how you can donate to help relief efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
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