Social networks start gathering aid for flood victims in Krymsk

A resident of Krasnodar Uliana Kononovich has announced through social networks a start of the campaign to collect donations for flood victims in the Krymsk District of the Krasnodar Territory. More than twenty persons have already reacted.

On July 6, the Krasnodar Territory was struck by a flood caused by torrential rains. In the city of Gelendzhik, more than 2000 households were flooded; in Novorossiysk – 173 houses, of them – 128 individual dwellings and 45 multi-flat buildings. In the Krymsk District, 240 households were flooded. The current death toll is 99 people; most casualties were registered in the Krymsk District – 88 persons.

"I have been monitoring the Internet for two hours looking for those in Krasnodar who were gathering things for the victims of the disaster. I found only some guys from Moscow; however, it'll take them long to bring the things to the suffered area; some of the victims would not need them. I tried to call the Ministry for Emergencies (MfE), but the phones were always busy. So, I decided to launch a campaign to collect help," Uliana Kononovich told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Ms Kononovich placed her advertisements in the Facebook, VKontakte and Twitter. Things are brought right to her apartment, located in the centre of Krasnodar.

According to her story, more than twenty people from Krasnodar and Stavropol have already responded. People bring packed meals, medicines, clothes, blankets, utensils and other necessary items.

"This reaction to the tragedy is absolutely normal. It would be strange if no one responded," said the woman.

"Social networks are able not to revolutions only. I think the authorities should appoint a coordinator of people's help and organize collection and distribution somewhere at the entrance to the city; same as reception of volunteers. So far, this has not been done; and it is possible that even our aid won't be passed through," said Miroslav Valkovich, an activist and a Krasnodar-based blogger.