Collection campaign for victims of the war in Ukraine KLINGER Dichtungstechnik supports the relief team
Already limited resources are becoming scarcer, people continue to be stranded in contested areas. While Caritas is helping internally displaced persons in Ukraine, but also here in Austria, numerous Austrians are supporting Caritas and other humanitarian organizations in their work. Christian Haas, production employee at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik, has found a way to support the Ukrainians.
Contacts mentioned in the article:
Christian Haas, foreman KLINGER TopChem at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik
Urgently needed relief goods for Ukraine
A total of 55,000 euros worth of goods was collected during a collection campaign by KLINGER Dichtungstechnik and included:
- 15 tons of water
- Medicine
- Hospital supplies
- Food for adults and children
- Hygiene items
- Blankets
- Dog food
It was a long and difficult journey that took the helpers from Lower Austria through Hungary to Oleshkiv in western Ukraine at the beginning of April. With nine vans and five trailers, the relief team covered the distance in approximately 16 hours.
Help for Oleshkiv
„We received a very warm welcome by the small community in Oleshkiv,“
says Christian Haas, who was in charge of the relief. Together with his brother and the pastor from Hirtenberg they established contact with the Greek-Orthodox parish in Oleshkiv. Haas was not only able to persuade the colleagues at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik to support the collection campaign, but also managed to get several communities, schools and companies involved. In addition, doctors, hospitals, associations and private individuals took part in the spontaneous relief campaign.
Under the Caritas flag
With the consent of Caritas, the private relief convoy was allowed to travel to Ukraine under their flag. The relief team also included native Ukrainians who helped to overcome the language barrier. However, no translation was needed to express the joy of the families in Oleshkiv, who cooked for the relief team and provided overnight accommodation. “After just three hours of sleep we headed back to Austria,” where they arrived two days later, “exhausted but happy,” says Haas. The fact that the campaign was a complete success is thanks to the great commitment of everyone involved: “A heartfelt thank you to all the donors and helpers who made this relief effort possible in the first place.”
