On the 5th day of the Russian military offensive against Ukraine, the human and economic consequences continue to shake the world. Affected by the situation, and after saying it was ready to welcome refugees, the city of Marseille is organizing a collection of donations to help the civilian population.
“Welcoming is part of the tradition of our city,” said Benoît Payan, PS mayor of Marseille, to justify the support given to the Ukrainian people, who are experiencing one of the most difficult times in their history.
This Monday, February 28, the Marseillais had the possibility of going to the Hôtel de Ville in the 2nd arrondissement to drop off food, hygiene products, clothing or sleeping equipment. Medicines cannot, however, be collected, as stated in the town hall’s press release.
To come to the aid of civilian victims of the war in Ukraine, we are opening the doors of the Hôtel de Ville to the people of Marseilles to drop off donations.
We are waiting for you there from 2 p.m. #SolidarityWithUkraine https://t.co/qEsBiOXEgV
— Benoit Payan (@BenoitPayan) February 28, 2022
It will also be possible to do so at other times: Tuesday March 1, Saturday March 5 and Monday March 7.
other cities also involved
The city of Lille also sent a strong message to the Ukrainian population. Martine Aubry, the mayor, launched an appeal for financial donations and a collection of accommodation proposals for refugees.
Appeal for financial donations to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries and, hopefully, after the UN decision, through humanitarian corridors in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/75KTnV00Pm
— Martine Aubry (@MartineAubry) February 28, 2022
In Cannes David Lisnard, the president of the association of mayors of France, also shows the example: the town hall is already on its fourth shipment of donations sent to Ukraine.
Arrival of the 4th truck at the Cannes collection centre.
After loading the collected donations, he will take the road to Ukraine, via Poland, like the three previous ones.
These are the first French convoys. The #TownhallDeCannes thanks the solidarity of the people of Cannes. pic.twitter.com/kO2Mbw3u2B
— Cannes (@cannesville) February 27, 2022
For its part, the French state has sent 33 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Poland for the Ukrainians. More than 30 tons of equipment will also leave at the beginning of the week for Moldova, indicated Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of the Interior.