Karanik: after Poland used special means, refugees’ state is catastrophic
The Chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Karanik, visited the logistics centre near the Bruzgi checkpoint where refugees are now accommodated. He stressed that, since the first days a spontaneous camp was created on the Belarusian-Polish border, state and public organisations made efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to people in trouble.
“After the recent escalation of tension on the border when water cannons and toxic chemicals were used, from our point of view, the situation which these people face has become truly catastrophic,” Mr. Karanik stressed. “We understand that, at such low temperatures, wet clothes create a real danger not only for a person’s health but also life. An instruction was given by the Head of State to provide overnight accommodation for people in safe conditions and at comfortable temperatures. Its realisation was complicated by the fact that many people refused to leave the border. However, a compromise was achieved: premises of the logistics centre – located within walking distance from the border – were prepared within two hours. Food distribution is arranged here as well. In my opinion, at such near-freezing temperatures, the use of water cannons against people who have previously suffered from hypothermia is savageness. The use of water cannons with irritating chemicals is double cruelty.”
Mr. Karanik added that the situation is close to critical since refugees prefer not to seek medical help until the last moment. Since there is no exact information of which chemicals were used and what consequences their will produce, doctors are ready to help those in need at any time.
