Tag Archives: ukraine war

A NUMBER of Nigerian people who were living in Kyiv until a few weeks ago are now being accommodated in the West County Hotel. On Friday two of them, a 28-year-old female doctor and a male marine biologist of the same age said that they have had a fantastic welcome to the Banner. While neither wished to be named publicly, both said that the people of Clare have shown a lot of empathy, and done whatever they could to make them comfortable here.  Both originally went to Ukraine to study, and the woman said that it was possible to receive a very high standard of education there, at a reasonable cost. “Studying medicine in Ukraine is quite affordable compared to other European countries or in America, the tuition is much cheaper.” Her friend agreed, “Studying in Ukraine is quite affordable, and in the field of marine engineering they have some of the best universities, they have a very good reputation.” …

A group of Ireland’s leading media organisations have come together to form an unprecedented coalition, and today launch a public fundraising campaign, ‘Ireland for Ukraine’. The campaign aims to raise vital funds for those affected by the conflict, as well as those who have been displaced. The campaign is inspired by the incredible level of public support from Ireland for Ukraine to date. The initiative will feature across local and national radio, television, print and online media, with all proceeds received by registered charity The Community Foundation for Ireland, who have 22 years’ experience in philanthropy and grant making. Fifty per cent of the funds collected will be distributed to the Irish Red Cross, Concern, UNICEF and Trocaire. The other 50% will be pooled into a fund for grant aid applications available to Irish organisations and local groups assisting the anticipated 200,000 incoming people who have been forced to flee Ukraine and are seeking the safety of our communities in Ireland. Donations …

WITH many of his fellow countrymen and women arriving in Clare, 24-year-old Demyd Yatsenko now spends much of his time helping translate their requests. Originally from Chernigov in the north of Ukraine, Demyd moved here with his family 17 years ago.  Demyd’s family home is in Ballynacally, while he now lives in Ennis. He holds an accounting degree and works for Pepper in Shannon and has been pleased to be able to help the arriving refugees. “When they started to come over I was probably one of the few people in the area that can speak the language, so I just starting putting up messages saying I’d help if I could. “People have been sending me lists of medicines they need, for instance, people write down lists and they get sent to me to explain what they are. “One woman was looking for blood thinners but she had no clue how to explain that to anyone. I was down in …

A Nigerian man who has recently arrived in Clare from Ukraine has highlighted the huge difficulties getting out of the country. “We had to walk three hours before we got to the border between Ukraine and Poland. There were a lot of people there, I don’t know, maybe 20,000. “The lines were so long and you had to keep on walking slowly for maybe 20 more hours, I was so tired I could sleep standing up,” he said this week. It was a long wait in freezing temperatures. “It was so cold that night. It was crazy, kids were crying, not because of the journey but because it was so cold. Guys were going to the forest to get sticks and try and burn them. It was around -4 degrees.” He says that he misses his old life hugely. “My life was good, very good, I have lost almost everything. I’d been living in Ukraine for about 17 years. I …

THE Russian invasion of Ukraine has presented new problems for the Burren Chernobyl Project, which has worked to help victims of the Chernobyl disaster. Spokesperson Liam O’Meara said, “It’s a challenge in several areas. We’ve been working away with the orphanages, a load was sent there at the end of January, it got as far as Lithuania and was held up in a port, which meant we’d be paying more every day it was in the port. We thought it might never get through, but luckily it did.” Burren Chernobyl Project provides support to Belarus, and there are concerns that the vulnerable there will not get support. “A friend of mine in Belarus said will we be North Korea? Will we be shunned and people not want to help, will people think differently of the country?” The war may mean less resources for the orphanages there, he feels. “They’re just coming out of Covid, they were very much locked down …

PLANS are being put in place by the HSE to deal with the huge influx of Ukrainian refugees that have arrived and are expected to continue coming into Ireland over the coming weeks in the wake of the Russian invasion. Galway councillor Evelyn Parsons has asked the HSE West what preparations it is making to receive, treat and provide medical services for the expected arrival of Ukrainian refugees. With reports that between 20,000 and 150,000 Ukrainian people, mainly women and children may come to Ireland, Councillor Parsons requested an update from HSE officials at a recent HSE West Forum meeting concerning what additional resources are being made available to deal with the health needs of this huge influx of people. The Independent Councillor raised questions about Covid-19 vaccinations; psychological services and translation services and whether any facilities were being put in place to hire qualified Ukrainian medical people to work in the Irish health service. The HSE has stated that …

Ukrainian refugees in Lisdoonvarna have implored the country’s ambassador to Ireland to send a message out to world leaders to stop the conflict now. Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland was in Lisdoonvarna on Saturday and met many of the 500 refugees, who have been living in the village for the past number of weeks. In total there are nearly 1000 Ukrainian people living in North and West Clare. Marcus White, owner of the Hydro hotel, said that there were emotional scenes, as the Ukrainian people, along with members of the local community met the ambassador at the Pavilion theatre. “They delivered a strong message to Ms Gerasko, which was to call on world leaders to bring in a ceasefire and stop the senseless conflict now, before any more men, women and children from either side lose their lives.” he said. “Our message is not only addressed to Europe but to all world leaders in the countries, like India, …

A SPECIAL Goal Mile in aid of the victims of the war in Ukraine will be held in Ennis, on Sunday, March 27, in the Fairgreen. Participants can complete distance any time between 11 and 1 and donate what they can. If you can’t make it or prefer to donate on line they can do so at https://goal-ukraine-appeal.raisely.com/ennisgoalmileforukraine. A spokesperson for the organisers explains, “Right now, thousands upon thousands of Ukrainian women, children and the elderly are amassing in the west of the country and flowing into neighbouring countries, namely Poland, Slovakia and Moldova. “The conflict has already seen over 160,000 people internally displaced and a mass exodus. In all, UNHCR estimates that as many as five million refugees could be generated by the conflict. “GOAL’s teams are well positioned to deliver humanitarian services to those affected, but they need help to do so. I am therefore kindly asking, as a special appeal, to give what you can to help …