"It's heartbreaking": Munich doctor brings more than 30 Ukraine refugees to safety
Created: 05/03/2022 08:21
By: Sophia Oberhuber
Munich doctor Erwin Lüddecke (6th from right) brought dozens of Ukrainians to safety.
© private
A Munich couple brings dozens of people from the Ukrainian war zone to Germany.
A story of helpfulness that gives a lot of hope.
Munich – Actually, Erwin Lüddecke would now look after patients in his private practice in Schwabing or in his second practice near Mühldorf am Inn.
Instead, he organizes minibuses, does rapid corona tests and distributes medicines at the Romanian-Ukrainian border.
The fiancée of the Munich doctor, Kateryna Oksenenko, comes from eastern Ukraine.
The couple welcomed more than 30 Ukrainian relatives, friends and acquaintances at the border in the past few days and took them to safety in Germany.
"We couldn't stand it at home anymore.
So we have the feeling that we are at least helping a little.
Even if it's just a drop in the ocean," says the 57-year-old when we reach him by phone.
A week ago, the doctor closed his two practices, packed bandages, blankets and petrol cans.
Together with his fiancée, he made his way to the Ukrainian border to wait for family and friends there.
Because Oksenenko's relatives in eastern Ukraine were suddenly in the zone controlled by Russia - and thus in the middle of the Ukraine war.
"The rockets are flying over their heads, and they're lucky to survive the day," reports Lüddecke.
Ukraine war - Munich doctor helps and reports: "The children are just exhausted"
So many decided to flee.
That's dangerous, Lüddecke knows.
“You can only drive during the day.
Gasoline is in short supply.
The roads are bad.”
Oksenenko kept in touch by phone with family and friends who also fled.
Actually, the couple wanted to meet the first group at the Polish border.
But there the refugees waited for days to leave the country.
So we continued to the Romanian border.
There Lüddecke and Oksenenko received the first groups.
"It's heartbreaking.
The fathers, husbands, brothers bring their wives and children to the border and know that they are not allowed to cross," reports the doctor.
Lüddecke and his fiancée organize hotels so that the refugees can rest for a while.
"The kids are just exhausted."
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Ukraine war with Russia: a couple from Munich reports a wave of willingness to help refugees
The Munich couple reports that they are met with a wave of helpfulness from many sides.
Whether from insurance companies that they contacted for relatives, or the Polish driver who drove a group of 20 refugees towards Mühldorf a few days ago.
For the distance of 2800 kilometers, the driver only wanted to be paid for the petrol costs.
Lüddecke's son is now on his way to the Ukrainian border with a truck loaded with relief supplies.
Another bus with 30 to 40 seats is on its way to pick up Ukrainians and bring them to Germany.
Ten refugees are accommodated in the doctor's house.
Some travel on to other relatives in Germany.
The Munich couple will stay at the border for a few more days and try to get other family members, friends and acquaintances to safety.
BY SOPHIA OBERHUBER