War diary:
In cooperation between Jews United and Hatzalah Ukraine: The children of Odessa orphanage evacuated for fear of shelling
In the last week, since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukrainian war, Htzala Ukraine has been on high alert: both during the fighting and under the night curfew - in full coordination with the military and local government - they are operating in major cities of Kyiv, Odessa and the Circassian region Among the local Jewish communities with different citizenships.
Skilled Ukrainian rescue teams operate on several fronts: one, humanitarian and elementary assistance to Jews residing within the country, medical response and hiring private security companies, this to protect synagogues, apartments and properties left orphaned by their owners who fled with their families outside the country.
On the other front, rescue teams are working to evacuate the families, including women and babies, with the help of buses rented at astronomical prices to transport them on non-roads outside the borders of Ukraine.
On the third front, the organization works in cooperation with the humanitarian organization Jews United to coordinate contact and administration with government officials and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to work together and synchronize relevant information that will assist in rescue, medical and defense rounds.
Ukrainian rescue teams moving around the country in ambulances have hoarded fuel tanks and are also responding to Ukrainian fighters anchored on the side of the road, and these are entitled to food, mattresses and blankets. "The Ukrainian fighters are the ones who are now actually defending any area that will not fall into the hands of the Russians. We also see a mission in assisting each of them," says the organization's executive director Shlomo Rosilio.
Evacuation of more than 600 Jews outside the war zones
After several rounds of evacuation in convoys of buses and private cars, the organization's teams deported more than 600 Jews to neighboring Moldova and Romania. The mass evacuation rounds were held until Friday, and the Sabbath was spent by hundreds in special complexes and local hotels.
The organization regulated the ESL's affairs of the evacuees and provided for them for the needs of the Sabbath in full cooperation with the regional Chabad houses. Among the guests at the complex during the Sabbath was also Mr. Aharon Mayberg, owner of Ukraine International.
"The world in general and the Jewish public in particular need to understand that we, as the actual forces in combat, are not just referring to the colorful elements of fire and tanks and smoke transformers that paint every corner here," said Shlomo Rosilio, the organization's director. Those who dwell on it, we refer to the 'small' details that are not seen in the press reports.
"We are dealing here with individual cases of hundreds of Jews in panic, shortages, disabled workplaces, abandoned gas stations, empty supermarkets, crying children, pregnant women and sick old people who need medication and emotional support. The drivers we hire are also afraid for their lives and willing to motivate Jews. "Buses out only for exorbitant prices that we did not imagine. We are trapped here and need all the help from the world to continue to exist. No one knows how long the fighting will continue, which according to speculation will only intensify and isolate us from the outside world."
In view of the situation, the rescue coordinator of the Ukrainian rescue organization on behalf of the humanitarian organization Jews United, Nachi Weiss, adds that "apart from providing the elementary and medical matters and storing essential equipment for any emergency, we try to equip the teams with emergency communication networks." "Warfare communication is the most vital channel."
"If we click on the melodramatic development of the past week, it is impossible to describe where we might end up in the coming week, as has happened so far in contrast to all the commentators and scenarios," concludes the organization's CEO Shlomo Rosilio.