San Diego’s House of Ukraine is working with other local organizations like “Help Ukraine Now” to provide aid to those caught in the ongoing chaos with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Victoria Ivanova is a Ukrainian immigrant who is an active member with the House of Ukraine in Balboa Park. KPBS talked to her Tuesday at the House's storage facility on University Avenue in City Heights. She said she’s worried for her family, who live in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv.
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“I have faith that God is on our side, that the whole world is on our side. So, I cannot just sit and cry. I am trying to do everything possible to support my country from this side. Even if I’m not there, I'm still fighting,” she said.
Ivanova, who is also the coordinator at Ukrainian School of San Diego, said there are multiple ways to help. That includes financial donations, political support and providing supplies.
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Ivanova said the biggest need right now is for medical and military equipment. Those items can be dropped off at the El Cajon Blvd. Unit, which operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
“We are asking for things like thermal blankets, thermal undergarments, socks; it is kind of cold at this time. I talked to my parents today and it is snowing. So, we need some things to keep people warm,” she said.
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Ivanova said they are also preparing for an influx of Ukrainian asylum-seekers that could be coming to the region.
“At this time we don't have many refugees, we don't have anybody here yet in San Diego. But we will be expecting them, people are coming this way,” she said, adding that food items aren't yet a priority for their donation center.
Ivanova said their supplies are sent out every few days, with the materials eventually arriving by plane into some of the surrounding European countries.
Jewish Family Service of San Diego said that their organization will be one of the main touch points for Ukrainian asylum-seekers coming to the region, which could begin to happen in the upcoming weeks or months.
For more information and ways to help go to houseofukraine.org.
