Viktoria Syno helps refugees in Uzhhorod on the Ukrainian-Slovakian border. In an interview, she reports what people in Ukraine need most urgently right now.
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A picture from more peaceful times: the city of Uzhgorod in the Ukraine has been sister to Darmstadt for more than 30 years. The photo was taken in 2018.
(Archive photo: dpa)
DARMSTADT – For many Darmstadt residents, she is the link to friends in the Ukraine: Dr. Viktoria Syno, born in Uzhgorod, lives and works there as the director of a language learning center. Her day looks different at the moment: from eight in the morning she helps to distribute the relief supplies that come to the city in minibuses and then to determine the need for the next few days. The first call from the Echo editorial team is on her way to a pharmacy to take orders for a friend who is out of town. On the second call, she has a little time to explain what life is like in the city on the country’s western border in times of war.
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Ms. Syno, what is happening in your hometown? Are many people fleeing?
Yes, a lot of people come to us from other parts of the country. Officially 8,000 have been registered, but unofficially I’ve heard it’s said to be 40,000. When you consider that around 120,000 people normally live here, you see the dimensions.
Where are the refugees staying?
In the first two waves, we accommodated the people privately here in the city. But meanwhile it is hardly possible to find anything. Temporary shelters were set up in schools, kindergartens and sports halls. About 500 beds have been set up in the largest sports complex, and they are all full now. Sometimes the city also has to stop registration because the evacuation trains are full and all the beds in Uzhgorod are occupied. Only in the neighboring villages is there still room. When people come during the day, they are taken there. But if they arrive at night we try to accommodate them in the city. They get the bare essentials from us first, toiletries, toothbrushes, towels – many come with practically nothing, even without money. Everything else depends on the people themselves, whether they want to stay with us for three or four days or continue across the borders to Hungary or Slovakia. But when I see the numbers, most want to continue.
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Dr. Viktoria Syno
(Photo: Dr. Viktoria Syno)
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Has the language learning center at the Goethe-Institut, where you work, also been set up for refugees?
No, we have set up a medical camp here, about ten to 15 people work here. They forward the relief supplies to where they are needed. We have pure office space here, one of which houses the partnership association. They would not be suitable as sleeping places.
So far Uzhgorod has been spared from direct attacks?
Yes, we are quiet in that regard.
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Ukraine action by Lilien fans: private initiatives from Darmstadt give the Ukrainians the feeling of “not being alone,” says Viktoria Syno.
(Archive photo: Thilo Degenhardt)
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What help from Germany do you need most urgently now?
Mattresses, pillows and blankets. We try to accommodate as many people as possible privately, we use every room. 150 people sleep in a school, and the churches are also used. But there are not enough places to sleep everywhere. Mattresses are a big help. Besides, people need something to eat. When it comes to medicines, you have to take a close look: some are in excess, others are lacking. This applies above all to prescription drugs, which are therefore difficult to obtain.
