Support for refugees with SCI

We are helping!

More than 9 million people are fleeing from war. Among them are many people with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable.

A network of European self-help organisations and medical societies for Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) from 28 countries

Shelter and support for SCI

ESCIF safehouse shelter in Cyców

War and suffering continue, so does aid

The shelter of the European Spinal Cord Injury Federation (ESCIF) in Cyców, Poland provided care for refugees with disabilities from the beginning of April until the end of September with logistical and financial support from the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and the German Spinal Injuries Association (FGQ). The shelter has now been closed, but the help for the SCI community in Ukraine continues.

In March, all organisations involved had still hoped that the shelter might not be needed for the full projected six months. In the meantime, it has become very clear that the war in Ukraine and its aftermath will occupy us for a long time to come. Nevertheless, we are trying to look constructively into the future and to anticipate what kind of support can be offered in the most targeted and efficient way. The European paraplegic associations will continue to be involved in the development of services in Ukraine and Poland launched by the WHO and the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS). In addition, ESCIF, together with the Ukrainian partner organisations, project partners and sponsors, supports the care of people with spinal cord paralysis in Ukraine. This is a great challenge, especially in view of the approaching winter. Further care for the refugees in the individual countries will be provided by the ESCIF member organisations.

The continued operation of the safe house does not seem to make sense at the moment due to the lack of resources for the accommodation and rehabilitation of spinal cord injured refugees in the European countries. In addition, the organisations involved in the aid project are noticing a growing refusal on the part of the local authorities to accept and support further refugees with disabilities from Ukraine. With the help of the highly committed volunteers of the Maltese Order, trips between the Polish-Ukrainian border region and the long-term shelters have been made almost every week since end of March. The disabled refugees and their relatives, a total of more than 200 people, were distributed to shelters in Germany, Switzerland, Finland, the Czech Republic, Austria and the Netherlands as well as in England, where they continue to be cared for by the local organisations and in many cases have already settled in well.

Copyright © Sunguk Kim

Aims

  • Give wheelchair users – with a focus on SCI – and their families a place to go and take a 3-10 day rest before they are transferred to their final destination.
  • First assessment by specialized personnel which is able to address minor medical needs.
  • Search for suitable accommodation and co-ordination of onward transport by ESCIF, SPS and FGQ networks.
  • Supply with medical aids, wheelchairs and cushions.
  • The safe-house offers assistance and information and refers to specialized SCI centers if necessary.

Blog

So far, more than 200 people with a Spinal Cord Injury, wheelchair users and travel companions have been evacuated. Meet some of the refugees in our blog.

Copyright © Susan Q Yin

How can I help?

Please support this crucial project!


The cost for the aid project is estimated at 284,000 Euro for the projected period of six months. 220,000 Euro have been donated so far. A donation of 60 Euro already covers the pro-rata fuel costs for the transport of one person from Poland to Germany, 115 Euros covers the average monthly need for medical aids for a Spinal Cord Injured person in Ukraine. Ukrainian SCI Relief is an aid project fully organized by volunteers. 100% of your donations go towards the expenses of the safe house and transports, there is zero overhead or administrative cost.

Organisers

ESCIF

The European Spinal Cord Injured Federation (ESCIF) is the umbrella organisation of 32 Spinal Cord Injury self-help organizations in 28 European countries. The vision of the Federation is to improve the quality of life of people living with a Spinal Cord Injury in all parts of Europe. The focus of ESCIF’s work is to exchange information, experience, knowledge and to establish best practice in rehabilitation. This is mainly done by organising a yearly congress which facilitates exchange about latest scientific developments and member organisations initiatives. Since 2019 ESCIF Help Alliance is also providing direct support to member organisations and to people living with Spinal Cord Injury. This important initiative is being supported by a large number of sponsors and foundations.

SPG

The Swiss Paraplegic Group (SPG) is a unique service network for the holistic rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injured – starting at the site of the accident or at the time diagnosis, offering help and support throughout life. The SPG covers four service areas: solidarity, medicine, education, research & innovation as well as integration and lifelong support.

FGQ

The Fördergemeinschaft der Querschnittgelähmten in Deutschland e.V. (German Spinal Injuries Association), short FGQ, is a non-profit association that provides information about spinal paralysis and its consequences, advises those affected and their relatives, develops concepts to improve the living situation of people with spinal paralysis, promotes corresponding projects and actively helps in individual cases. FGQ is a network of Spinal Cord Injured and relatives, experts and a large community of supporters.

Supporters

Donations

The cost of the aid project is estimated at 284,000 Euro for a six-month period. 220,000 Euro have already been covered by donations. Your donation will help to further run the safe-house in the coming months, to provide assistance, food and transport for the disabled refugees.

220,000 € of 284,000 € already achieved
220,000 Euro 77%

Every donation helps!

A donation of just 60 Euros covers the pro-rata fuel costs for the transport of one person from e.g. Poland to Germany, 115 Euros the average monthly need for aids for a paraplegic in the Ukraine.

IBAN: DE21 6729 1700 0028 2344 06 | BIC: GENODE61NGD | Purpose: "Ukraine"

Further support

  • refundrebel GmbH
  • Holzwerkstätte Unkel
  • Erbatech GmbH
  • Stadt-Apotheke Krautheim
  • Neue Apotheke Saarbrücken
  • Heidelberger Marathon
  • Familie Esser
  • Printencup
  • LVampNRW e.V.
  • Sandra Sieberichs
  • Deborah Beckmann
  • Dagmar Grüter
  • Barbara Taiber
  • Simone Kues
  • Bernhard Plath
  • Mandy Kretschmer
  • David Lebuser
  • Peter & Dunja Reichert
  • Martin Tronich
  • Joachim Schäck
  • Stefanie Wagner
  • Musikkapelle Laibach
  • Landfrauen Laibach
  • Rainer Maas
  • Katrin Degenhardt
  • Elisabeth Wittmann
  • Christa Clasen
  • Siegrun Rock
  • Tanja Buia
  • comewithus2
  • Gabriele Schulze
  • Richard Lenkiewicz
Copyright © Tim Marshall

Further support

  • refundrebel GmbH
  • Holzwerkstätte Unkel
  • Erbatech GmbH
  • Stadt-Apotheke Krautheim
  • Neue Apotheke Saarbrücken
  • Heidelberger Marathon
  • Familie Esser
  • Printencup
  • LVampNRW e.V.
  • Sandra Sieberichs
  • Deborah Beckmann
  • Dagmar Grüter
  • Barbara Taiber
  • Simone Kues
  • Bernhard Plath
  • Mandy Kretschmer
  • David Lebuser
  • Peter & Dunja Reichert
  • Martin Tronich
  • Joachim Schäck
  • Stefanie Wagner
  • Musikkapelle Laibach
  • Landfrauen Laibach
  • Rainer Maas
  • Katrin Degenhardt
  • Elisabeth Wittmann
  • Christa Clasen
  • Siegrun Rock
  • Tanja Buia
  • comewithus2
  • Gabriele Schulze
  • Richard Lenkiewicz
  •  
Copyright © Tim Marshall