(Updated on 18 March 2022)
In addition to providing shelter, border assistance for arriving refugees and shipping relief supplies to the Ukrainian border, the NGO founded by peace ambassador Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also helps with trauma relief programs
Berlin, March 10, 2022 – In light of the ongoing war and humanitarian emergency crisis in Ukraine, The Art of Living continues to provide 24/7 assistance to those affected by the war through its large-scale volunteer network.
Till date, the organization has housed over 5,000 people, including children, babies and people with special needs, in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Sweden, Netherlands and Germany. More than 2,000 volunteers are currently working on the relief efforts, many of them on the borders with Ukraine, to assist arriving refugees and provide them with shelter and basic amenities like food, water, hygiene and medical first aid supplies.
Together with their sister concern International Association for Human Values (IAHV), The Art of Living has initiated a donation campaign to fund and supply medication, food and other essential items.
On 3 March 2022, the first truck arrived from Gdańsk, Poland at the Ukrainian border, carrying medication for an urgent supply required for injured civilians and soldiers.
Till date, more than 7 tons with 38333 different items were shipped via Poland to Ukraine and more is underway. This includes 11 200 medical, first aid and hygiene kits, medical supplies for hospitals, tons of food material, goods for infants and small children, technical equipment like camping gas stoves, clothes and hygiene products.
Material aid supplies have so far gone to 15 facilities including 4 municipal hospitals, 1 maternity hospital, 2 orphanages and 3 humanitarian aid centers for refugees within the country. Through their volunteers at the borders and those still present in Ukraine, The Art of Living and IAHV receive direct and first-hand information on the need for critical goods and necessary medication.
Trauma Relief Programs - addressing the mental health impact of the war
As part of their relief efforts, The Art of Living and IAHV have also begun offering their proven trauma relief programs to those affected by the war.
Once immediate material aid has been provided, these programs help address the psychological impact and pressure of the war. The arriving refugees are often severely traumatized by the impressions of the war and report, among others, about sleeping disorders and anxiety.
More about the Trauma Relief Programs
IAHV has many years of experience in caring for traumatized people from war zones and has worked in various countries such as Iraq, Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, in Syrian refugee camps and other crisis regions, also in partnership with UN agencies and the Red Cross, to address the mental health impact of the war.
In the beginning days of the war, The Art of Living also helped evacuate Indian students from Ukraine at the request of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In Germany, The Art of Living has welcomed the first refugees from Ukraine at its European center in Oppenau and is available to accommodate more.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of The Art of Living, on February 27, 2022 announced that all The Art of Living centers across Europe are open and fully operational to accommodate war refugees from Ukraine.
The Art of Living is running a 24/7 helpline for those fleeing the war in Ukraine and has received more than 9000 calls so far. Together with their sister concern IAHV, the organization continues to be fully operational 24/7.
To donate to the relief efforts please visit https://www.artofliving.org/ch-en/donate-ukraine
Helpline: +48 509 861 485
Press contact: Tel: +49 151 43101428 | E: abc@artofliving.eu
Videos & Images for media representatives can be downloaded here.
Welcoming Ukrainian Refugees | Emergency Relief in Europe by The Art of Living - A short video
About The Art of Living
The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) was founded in 1981 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and operates in 156 countries. It is one of the largest independent, humanitarian nongovernmental organizations in the world. The AOLF holds a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is active in numerous other international bodies and committees in the areas of health, education and sustainable development. The priorities include aid projects in developing countries, trauma and stress management in crisis areas and rehabilitation programs for victims of violence and prison inmates. In addition, yoga and meditation classes are offered. A key component is the Sudarshan KriyaTM, a health- promoting breathing technique.
The Art of Living together with their sister concern International Association for Human Values has years of experience in disaster and crisis management and has worked relentlessly in war-torn countries, be it Colombia, Iran-Iraq, India’s Kashmir region, Sri Lanka, or in Syrian refugee camps.
For his international peace work, The Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates and state honors such as the highest civilian award of Colombia, Mongolia, and Paraguay. The President of India has also bestowed upon him the Padma Vibhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian award for exceptional and distinguished service. For further information visit www.artofliving.org.
(Figures from 14 March)
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Press contact
Art of Living Bureau of Communication – Europe
Tel: +49 151 43101428
E: abc(at)artofliving.eu
http://www.artofliving.org
