The Aid Centre for the flood victims established
by YABLOKO and North Caucusus Environmental Watch have been
functioning in Krymsk for the fourth day. It all started with
one truck which brought food and clothing to Krymsk immediately
after the disaster. Now help comes from all the Southern Russia.
YABLOKO activists from Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Sochi and
Tuapse are working day and night in the Adagumskaya street,
the most affected street of Krymsk. Yugeny Vitishko, one of
the coordinators of the head-quarters and leader of the Tuapse
branch of YABLOKO, told us about the work of the Centre, the
moods in the city and the actions of the authorities.
Question: Yugeny, first of all, we would like to know what
is most needed as aid? What people need most?
Vitishko: There are acute shortages of anything there, we
have everything. However the most needed things are food,
personal care items and candles. People come and tell us what
they need and we coordinate purchase of these things.
Question: The Aid Centre is located by house No 153 in Adagumskaya
street, by the shop Magnet. Tell us about the work of the
centre. How are you providing aid?
Vitishko: We are working 24 hours a day. We have made bunks
and sleep in turn. I have not slept since yesterday (laughs).
We have about 20 people working here. Our camp is divided
into sectors: sectors for delivery and provision of food,
clothing, electricity, etc. Now the city is completely de-energized,
only we have a generator. People are continuously coming to
charge phones or boil tea.
In the coming days we are planning to examine the streets
we have not visited yet. We will be walking around with a
megaphone, and will look for those who have not received aid
yet. I am afraid there will be such people – there are many
pensioners and elderly in the city who have difficulty to
move independently.
Question: Humanitarian aid is coming to you from all over
the country. How do people respond to help?
Vitishko: They express their thankfulness. They asked who
we are and where do we come from.
Question: And how do people assess the actions of the governments?
Vitishko: I believe that dismissals of the district administration
were completely useless, it is more important to coordinate
actions at site. Until today only we have been working here.
Just today I have noticed that the authorities ordered to
start inspection per household, but nothing has been done
until today. So far such actions have not been coordinated
with us, or between federal services.
Question: Watching television reports from the site it is
hard to believe that people can stand that. What moods are
in the city now? Is there panic?
Vitishko: There is no panic now. Yesterday it was hard, when
there were rumors about the second wave, but now everything
is calm. It is obvious that people are recovering from the
shock, but still they are very scared and nervous. Certainly,
this is hard. The city is de-energized, the water is undrinkable.
There are also minor conflicts, and the need in psychological
help is strongly felt. Some people try to make food reserves
our of fear, and we have to explain that this is not necessary.
Question: The press has already reported on several looting
cases in the city. Have you witnessed this?
Vitishko: We have not seen this, although I can not rule
this out. But there is police in the streets, and we also
give them tea.
Question: What was the most difficult for you these days?
Vitishko: The most difficult thing for me is to understand
what happened. I am a geologist by training, but the causes
of the disaster have been still unclear for me. I have already
taken some soil samples for research, but certainly now it
is too early to draw any conclusions. First, we have to finish
work at site, which, in my opinion, will not be soon.
See also:
YABLOKO’s Aid
Centre for the victims of the flood in the southern Russia
keeps working in Krymsk. Press Release, July 10, 2012.
Flood victims left
without help in Krymsk held a spontaneous rally. Press Relese,
July 9, 2011
YABLOKO leader arrived
in Krymsk with a truck of humanitarian aid. Press Release,
July 9, 2012.
Criminal negligence
of officials led to deaths of people in the Krimskiy district,
the Krasnodar Area
Statement by YABLOKO Chairman. July 7, 2012.
Human
Rights
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