Rozaliya’s Family in Eastern Ukraine

This is my aunt Rozaliya, 67, and her husband Vasyl, 68. They lived in the village of Zelene (population 300) near the town Ilovaysk (population 16,000) in Eastern Ukraine. They raised two daughters and three grandsons. They lived a peaceful rural life, until the war came to their home.  

You may not know it, but there is a real war happening in Europe in 2014 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Donbass) – with artillery and tanks. Over 2,000 civilians have died, over 5,000 civilians have been injured (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28770179) . Town of Ilovaysk has been a place of heavy fighting for the past few weeks – with tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons used. You can read BBC's story about heavy fighting in Ilovaysk here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28866283 

My cousin Maryna, daughter of Rozaliya and Vasyl, witnessed her house being shelled and destroyed by fire. Luckily, she and her husband hid in underground cellar and survived. Maryna is now displaced within Ukraine. Rozaliya and Vasyl, who witnessed about a third of their village being destroyed by artillery and tanks, fled Zelene on August 20 2014 amid heavy fighting. They crossed into Russia and are currently in Rostov region of Russia. Their other daughter Valentyna fled to Russia in July, before the heavy fighting started. They are among over 300,000 refugees from the war. 

My aunt's family are all safe but their lives are destroyed. They had to leave their houses and small farms behind, and do not know when they can come back to Zelene. The heavy fighting around Ilovaysk is continuing – coming back is not safe at the moment. They will need money for accommodation and basic necessities while they are displaced, and also for rebuilding their lives when they can come back.  

I sent money to them from my own savings. But I am also raising money for them – and I will be personally responsible for sending all donated money to them. Please help the victims of latest war in Europe – even £10 pounds or euros will help.  Thank you very much for every contribution.