Address by Nikolai Rybakov, Yabloko Chairman, 24.03.2020

Dear friends, very difficult times have come. The coronavirus epidemic is increasingly spreading in Russia. The number of cases is growing, the federal government and the authorities of different regions are taking more stringent quarantine measures. Many enterprises and organisations are forced to stop working, some people switch to distance work, and some lose their work. At the same time, there is an economic crisis, the rouble is falling and prices are rising.

What can we do in this situation?

The main thing is to be in solidarity. Try to support each other, first of all, those who are most vulnerable: the elderly, for whom the virus is most dangerous, large families, single mothers with children, and disabled people. Each of us, spending a little of time, may possibly provide a small but very important help to the other.

We welcome the emergence (including at the initiative by the regional organisations of the Yabloko party) of volunteer organisations that are purposefully engaged in helping older people who are forced to drastically limit their contacts. We urge members of the Yabloko party, especially young ones, to become such volunteers, coordinate their efforts with others, and establish contacts with state and public organisations in order to provide people with most effective assistance.

The disaster that has come not only to our country, but to the whole world, will not recede quickly. It will bring a lot of grief and difficulties. We will have to take long-term and hard efforts. But there is no other way. I am sure that together we can handle it.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Yabloko Chairman