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332
IRYNA RUDYK SOCIAL WELFARE CHAIR In summarizing the work of the UNWLA Social Welfare program over the past three years, it is worth mentioning that since its founding days (1925), the UNWLA has been guided by the objective of fostering Ukrainian identity and cultural heritage and promoting knowledge about Ukraine in America. However, the major goal of the organization has been providing assistance to Ukraine and to Ukrainians throughout the world. As chair of the Social Welfare Committee, I have relied on the resolutions passed at previous UNWLA Conventions, which underscored the following: • support of the Social Welfare Funds; • assistance to Ukrainian families in need, orphaned children, and the elderly; • particular attention to assisting needy and lonely seniors. As Social Welfare Committee Chair, I also reviewed the skilfully organized work of the previous chairs and members of the Social Welfare Committee for guidance. In close cooperation with UNWLA President Marianna Zajac and members of the UNWLA Executive Board, I have made decisions about providing financial assistance, issuing circulars, and submitting materials for publication in Our Life and Svoboda. At the beginning of our three-year term, we learned of an event reminiscent of 1928, the year Galicia was hit by a natural disaster—flooding. Once again flooding struck the western parts of Ukraine. Ukrainian mass media reported, “The flooding in Western Ukraine, which occurred in the summer between July 23 and 27, 2008, is the worst natural disaster in the history of Western Ukraine over the last sixty years.” On July 31, 2008, following a decision of the Ukrainian Parliament, six regions (oblasts) of Ukraine were declared ecologic emergency zones for a period of 90 days. The six oblasts were Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia, and Vinnytsia. The disaster claimed thirty lives, including six children. In addition, 40,601 homes and 33,882 hectares of agricultural lands were damaged, along with 360 vehicle bridges and 561 pedestrian bridges. The overall damages were estimated at three to four billion hryvnias. Learning of this dire situation in Ukraine, the UNWLA National Board decided to launch a drive to collect money for the flood victims. The Social Welfare Committee prepared and sent a circular on this matter to all UNWLA Regional Councils and Branches. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the UNWLA Regional Councils and Branches for their hard work, and to the UNWLA members and all who participated in this initiative for their generosity. We collected over $70,000. These funds were distributed in part by UNWLA President Marianna Zajac, Honorary President Iryna Kurowyckyj, and the president of Soyuz Ukrainok of Ukraine, Lilia Hryhorovych, when they visited the Sniatyn district of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, which experienced the heaviest damages during the flooding. While visiting Ukraine in April 2009, I had the opportunity to meet with Nadiya Pliushch, the president of Soyuz Ukrainok in Ternopil, as well as with the presidents of SUU Ivano-Frankivsk branches, and distribute additional funds to the victims. In each case, $200 per family was given directly to the flood victims. Although it had been almost a year since the flooding, the devastating consequences could still be seen everywhere—ruined homes and property. However, one could also see the palliative effects of assistance and support provided by the government that was in power at that time. During the flooding, military rescue teams were created, and President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko immediately visited the site of the disaster. The Ukrainian government allotted between 800 and 20,000 hryvnias to each household, on a case-by-case basis determined by the severity of the damages. International and foreign aid organizations also provided assistance, sending food, clothing, and disinfecting materials to the stricken regions. At each meeting with flood victims and with members of the Soyuz Ukrainok of Ukraine, one could feel their deep gratitude to their UNWLA sisters not only for the financial assistance, but also for 118 XXIX Конвенція СУА www.unwla.org
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