Water and non-perishable food were among the things people donated. Photo: LWF Poland
Collection of water, food and other relief goods
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Poland country program has started collections for people affected by the floods in Southern Poland. On Monday, the team launched a call for donations in Zgierz. LWF runs a community center for refugees from Ukraine and their host community there.
"Not remain indifferent"
"When we saw the photos and heard about the scale of the damage caused by the flood, we couldn't remain indifferent. We decided to act and organize this collection to support those affected by this devastating event as best as possible, " said Wojciech Bereżewski, LWF Team Leader at the Zgierz Community Center. "Our goal is to provide them with necessities and assistance during these challenging times."
The donation call on social media led to “overwhelming solidarity”. Photo: LWF Poland
When we saw the photos and heard about the scale of the damage caused by the flood, we couldn't remain indifferent.
Wojciech Bereżewski, LWF Poland
The aid was collected through a drive organized at the LWF Community Center in Zgierz. The local community donated items such as bottled water, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, and other essential goods, such as blankets, sleeping bags, batteries, flashlights, and power supply devices.
The first trucks with the collected donations already left for the Fire Department in Zgierz, which will handle the further distribution of aid to people affected by the flood. The team was overwhelmed by the solidarity, says Natalia Mazurek, LWF Poland communications officer. "The first two trucks left on Tuesday, only a day after the team publicized the call."
Loaded truck, ready to leave for the Zgierc fire department. Photo: LWF Poland
Overwhelming solidarity
The response has been "substantial," the LWF team leader in Zgierz said. He added that a significant part of the aid had come from Ukrainian refugees. "They are particularly grateful for the opportunity to give back in some way, as they appreciate the support they have received."
LWF Poland also offered free psychological counseling from five community centers in Gdansk, Wroclaw, Bytom, Bielsko-Biala, and Zgierc. The local parish at the LWF Community Center in Bytom, is also ready to accommodate flood victims. Presiding Bishop Jerzy Samiec of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland and the president of the Diaconia Poland are appealing for donations to help those affected by the disaster.
In a letter to leaders of LWF member churches affected by the disaster in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany (Bavaria and Saxony), Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt expressed the communion's solidarity with all those suffering. The widespread flooding has led to the loss of lives and the destruction of homes, churches, and other infrastructure.
