Shakhtar Players Visited a Centre for Ukrainian Refugees in the Netherlands 

Shakhtar Players Visited a Centre for Ukrainian Refugees in the Netherlands 

Construction of a camp for 1,000 refugees from Ukraine in Vlaardingen is being completed.

On July 20, Shakhtar players Viktor Korniienko and Eduard Kozik visited the centre for Ukrainian refugees in Vlaardingen near Rotterdam. A small complex called Mrija is being constructed there. It hosts refugees who were forced to leave Ukraine after the start of a full-scale war. Currently, 670 displaced people (mostly women and children) live in the centre, and when the last housing unit opens in a few weeks, up to 1,000 people will be able to stay there. Mrija provides all conditions for the adaptation of Ukrainians: in addition to free accommodation, a school for children, sports infrastructure and a medical centre were built.

Viktor Korniienko and Eduard Kozik met with the heads of the centre and representatives of the municipality of Vlaardingen, Ivana Somers-Gardenier and Melanie Stuije, who deal with the issues of assistance to refugees, and thanked for the support given to Ukrainians on behalf of the team. Shakhtar players also looked at the living conditions in the complex, talked with Ukrainian refugees and took pictures with children.

– It is nice to see Ukrainians. It is a pity that this is happening under such conditions that people are forced to leave their home country and become refugees because of the war. It should be noted that excellent conditions have been created for the refugees in this camp: they have good infrastructure for comfortable living and a school, children play sports. We thank the Netherlands, which helps Ukraine and our people a lot. But we look forward to the moment when the war ends and everyone returns home.

Viktor Korniienko, Shakhtar player

– We are happy to visit our compatriots today. We can see that everything is arranged very nicely here. It is especially important that all necessary things for children are provided: a school, a playground. These people who help Ukrainians deserve greatest respect and gratitude. But, while talking to the refugees, you still understand that they are worried about the country and want to go home. One girl said to me: “May God grant you victories, and most importantly – the victory of Ukraine!”

Eduard Kozik, Shakhtar player