Emergency Aid: Relief for many

Numerous people are regularly provided with food. Every year around 40 000 Christmas parcels are distributed, as well as 200 tons of clothing and shoes besides 700 tons of food. Emergency aid is an important dimension in the work of COM International.

HOW WE HELP

Supporting those in need
Belarus, Moldova, and the Ukraine are countries in which up to 60% of the population live below the poverty line. The situation of old-age pensioners is especially grim. Retirement pensions are usually paid out irregularly and are not even enough to buy basic foodstuffs. Many families and single parents along with the sick and disabled face a daily struggle for survival.

Humanitarian aid
COM International began with the transportation of foodstuffs to Belarus, Moldova, and the Ukraine back in 1990 after the Chernobyl disaster. Since then our humanitarian aid has been steadily expanded. Funding for food provision and the continuity of the project is ensured by means of a sponsorship programme which has now been running for years. The distribution of food by our personnel is carried out in cooperation with local social welfare agencies. This guarantees that aid is distributed fairly. Since 2007 we have been able to buy in all foodstuffs within the respective countries themselves. Exceedingly extensive customs and approval procedures can thereby be avoided.

Food and clothing for the poorest
COM International supplies food and clothes to the needy in Children’s Homes, Old People’s Homes, and Hospitals. They are distributed in cooperation with local social welfare agencies, church communities, and self-help organisations. All food provisions are purchased locally.

‚Bethany‘ Home Care in Belarus
Since the contamination caused by the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant there have been far more disabled and sick persons in Belarus than with us. In the cities of Minsk, Mogilev, Gomel, and Grodno, care workers with COM international visit many who are aged, sick, solitary, and disabled. These people are given support with dignity and companionship through medical care and domestic aid. They, too, are generally aided with food provisions, as well as clothing from Switzerland.

Christmas Parcels / Christmas Joy Campaign
In the countries named above around 40 000 Christmas parcels are distributed every year. They are made available by the Christmas Parcels Campaign, a collaboration of various relief organisations in Switzerland.