Despite the corona pandemic and the associated requirements, the Poinger OstEuropaHilfe association has succeeded in sending relief supplies to Gomel (Belarus).
In cooperation with the Tschnerobyl-Hilfe Nordschwaben association, an aid transport to the Chernobyl region was able to start at the end of October, shortly before the new lockdown, reports Helgrid Schörghofer, board member of OstEuropaHilfe.
“Many thanks to all the many donors and helpers.
It's like a miracle that worked, ”she says.
Due to the first lockdown, the Poingen club had to suspend its activities since mid-March, Schörghofer looks back.
"With the first easing, our warehouses were filled to the brim, so that we could soon no longer accept any further relief supplies."
Helgrid Schörghofer reports that the association decided in July to prepare a transport in cooperation with the Chernobyl Aid North Swabia.
With the Nyfeld forwarding agency, with which the Poinger Verein works.
Poing: Ten tons of relief supplies
For a long time it was not foreseeable whether the Corona regulations would make it even possible to bring relief goods to the partner organizations in the Belarusian city of Gomel in cross-border traffic.
"For safety reasons, we excluded from the start that we would be accompanied by members of the association," said Schörghofer.
Four days trip to Gomel
On the last day in October, shortly before the corona rules were tightened again, members of the Poinger Verein were able to load a trailer with around ten tons of relief supplies: around 30 tables and 110 chairs as well as various children's cloakrooms for kindergartens, clothing, household linen, shoes, bags, Schörghofer lists hygiene articles, carpets and office supplies.
In addition, “gift packages for authorized, needy people”.
After completing all customs formalities, the truck set off for Gomel, the tractor unit fully loaded with goods from the Chernobyl Aid North Swabia.
“The truck arrived in Gomel four days later,” reports Helgrid Schörghofer.
"On the same day, the relief supplies were unloaded by our partner organization Erbe von Chernobyl."
For January 2021, Poinger OstEuropaHilfe is trying to organize another transport to Gomel, says the board member.
Thanks to numerous donations in kind over the past few weeks, the storage capacity is almost reaching its limits again.
Information about the association: www.oeh-poing.de
