LSM and Ziedot.lv launch rehabilitation appeal for Ukrainian soldiers

Latvia’s public media organisation LSM and charity Ziedot.lv have launched a support campaign to provide comprehensive rehabilitation for Ukrainian soldiers, LSM reported on Monday.

The campaign, titled “Together with Ukraine in thoughts and actions!”, runs from August 17 to September 13 and marks Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24.

LSM journalist Odita Krenberga is the campaign’s ambassador. She said that reporting from the front in Ukraine had shown her the horrors of war, where only seconds can separate people from death or severe injury.

“Russia has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. And even more have been wounded,” Krenberga said. “We must help Ukraine because Ukrainians are fighting not only for their country’s freedom, but also for the security of all of us, for a safe Europe and Latvia.”

Donations can be made by calling 90204113. The call costs 5 euros, including value-added tax. Donations can also be made online through Ziedot.lv’s “Let’s help Ukraine recover!” campaign.

Returning from the front, Ukrainian soldiers need both medical and psychological support to regain their strength and recover from the physical and mental traumas caused by the war, the organisers said.

Ziedot.lv head Rūta Dimanta said war injuries took a long time to heal and included not only physical pain but also the pain of loss, helplessness and injustice.

“We cannot erase this pain, but we can ensure that Ukrainian soldiers receive rehabilitation that gives them the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Dimanta said. “Every donation will help pay for rehabilitation in Ukraine and Latvia.”

Donations will support comprehensive rehabilitation, including medical care, psychological assistance, recovery of strength, restoration of independent living and reintegration into society.