In Ukraine’s Lviv, Large Soccer Stadium Turned Into Refugee Shelter скачать в хорошем качестве

In Ukraine’s Lviv, Large Soccer Stadium Turned Into Refugee Shelter

The beautiful medieval city of Lviv in western Ukraine has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of refugees from all over Ukraine. One Local soccer stadium, built for the 2012 Euro Cup, has been turned into a refugee center. Anna Kosstutschenko reports for VOA in Lviv. A large stadium on the outskirts of Lviv was built to accommodate over 34,000 soccer fans. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the stadium is serving as a refugee coordination center. Buses bring refugees from all over Ukraine. In just the first week, over 13,000 people came here. Olga Manko, Director, Arena-Lviv Stadium: “The life of every Ukrainian changed after February 24th.” Olga Manko is the director of the Arena-Lviv Stadium. Before the invasion, her job was to organize large-scale sporting events and concerts. But since the beginning of Russia's invasion, her main duty is assisting refugees. Olga Manko, Director, Arena-Lviv Stadium “We help volunteers at humanitarian headquarters. We peel potatoes. We wash dishes. We cook …” Many of the refugees who come here have already lost their homes. Irina is one of them. She came here from just outside Kyiv. Iryna, Brovary Resident “We were waiting and waiting, but it only got worse. All the villages close to us were occupied by Russians.” When she realized things were very unlikely to improve, Iryna was forced to leave her home. Iryna, Brovary Resident: “Occupiers were locking people in the basements of their own houses. They were mocking people if they felt like it. They raped women. They do what they want! They could even kill the owner of the house.” Refugee center coordinators say that in the first few days of the invasion, frightened people wanted to go abroad as soon as possible. Those who are arriving now, like Irina, are more willing to wait for the war to end at home or relocate to regions with little or no military action. Viktor Stepaniuk, Coordinator, Refugee Reception Center: “We try to accommodate people within the municipal infrastructure in territorial communities — I mean, those who plan to remain in Ukraine.” The refugee reception center is half empty now. But volunteers operate on the assumption the invasion will go on, and additional beds are already being set up at the stadium. Olga Manko, Director, Arena-Lviv Stadium: “In case humanitarian corridors are open from Mariupol, Chernihiv, Sumy or Kharkiv, more people would go to Lviv. And then, of course, this hall would be crowded.” Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/in-ukraine-... » Subscribe to VOA News: https://bit.ly/3KIPysi » Watch more VOA News video:    / voanews   Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations. Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press. Connect with VOA News: » VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.voanews.com/ » LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE:   / voiceofamerica   » FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:   / voanews   » FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:   / voanews