Red Cross official calls Ukrainians resilient

Two years ago Saturday, Russia invaded Ukraine — and millions of lives have been affected over that time.

Angela Hill, a communications delegate with the Red Cross, is currently in Ukraine. She spoke on The Evan Bray Show about her experience in the war-torn country.

Hill said the feeling of uncertainty has stayed the same since she first arrived in Romania two years ago.

“People who are in Ukraine are still dealing with every-day stress,” Hill said. “There are daily air alerts in many parts of the country and those on the frontlines lack access to health care, food and basic necessities.”

Hill characterized the residents of Ukraine as resilient.

“I met these incredible women who are helping through a home care program,” said Hill. “They go to help older adults who maybe, when they left, their children couldn’t come with them.”

Hill explained that these women have also been displaced and decided to help out and volunteer through the Red Cross.

Currently in Eastern Ukraine, Hill said she’s been in a lot of the larger cities where people who have been displaced end up.

“I see really a mixture of things. In some ways I see regular city life, people go out to get groceries (and) they go out to work where they can,” Hill said. “Then you have this stark reminder of the situation you’re living in because the air alarm siren goes off and people need to seek shelter.”

She believes the people in Ukraine still see and feel the support from other countries.

“When people hear that I’m from Canada, they’re so excited,” said Hill. “Then when I tell them I’m from Saskatchewan, they’re even more excited.”

Hill credits that to the fact that they are aware of how many Ukrainians live in Saskatchewan and Canada.