COLUMBUS, Ohio — The refugee crisis is growing as millions of Ukrainians have now fled to neighboring countries. Still more are trapped in cities in the eastern part of Ukraine.
The United Nations is already calling this the most severe refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
“They have been walking long distances, in the cold, so we do have a high demand for wound care and other basic emergency supplies,” said Allison Busser, director of development at Medwish International.
The Cleveland non-profit shipped out more than 6,000 pounds of medical supplies last week to Ukraine and neighboring Poland.
This weekend along with Medworks, they’re hosting a drive-up supply drive in Highland Heights. Busser says they’re hoping to sort and package up first aid, basic toiletries, and other supplies on the spot to get them abroad as soon as possible.
Check out the list of requested items below. You can get more details on the drive by clicking here. It will be held Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at University Hospitals Customer Service Center at 20800 Harvard Road in Highland Hills.
“We can go to hospital if we need it. They unfortunately don’t have that option right now,” said Busser. “One of our partner organizations has a warehouse set up that is almost like a pharmacy full of things that as citizens are entering [Poland] they can get what they need right there.”
Soon the help could be needed closer to home, as Ohio prepares for an influx of refugees that could ultimately land here. Governor Mike DeWine is asking the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which houses the state’s Refugee Services, to convene a summit next week to help welcome refugees.
“I think the anger that Ohioians feel towards Putin is real. It's genuine, and it's pretty universal,” said Governor DeWine in an interview with 3News’ Sara Shookman. “This is just gut-wrenching to watch this. It's just horrible.”
Since 2018, more than 500 Ukrainians have resettled in Ohio, 360 of them in the Cleveland area. Governor DeWine says the federal government considers where family or other refugees of the same nationality might be nearby, as it makes these decisions.
“I think that we will get…a significant number of people who the federal government will actually send here,” said the Governor. “How do we get prepared for the refugees? And then if you're just an average citizen, you want to help. How do you get plugged in? What can you do and how does the system really work? That's what our conference is all about.”
There are nine settlement groups authorized by the federal government to lead these kinds of efforts, the same ones that have been tasked with helping Afghan refugees in recent months. While there’s no timeline yet, he wants to be ready. The summit is planned for next Thursday, March 17 at St. Vladimir Grand Hall in Parma.
3News will share more details as they’re announced.
“Judging by the, the calls that we have received in the Governor's office, Ohio will be very welcoming to these refugees," DeWine added.
Previous Reporting:
- Gov. Mike DeWine calls for summit in Northeast Ohio to plan for potential Ukraine resettlement
- 'Ohio's future is very bright': Gov. Mike DeWine reflects on pandemic two years after state's first COVID-19 cases
- 2 years later: A look back on the anniversary of Ohio's first confirmed cases of COVID-19
- Which restaurants and organizations in Northeast Ohio are taking donations for Ukraine?