Local Man Delivers Aid in Poland

Alexander Bormotov Identifies Mental Health Concerns among Ukranian Refugees

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) – Ooltewah resident Alexander Bormotov has traveled to Poland to help refugees from his native country of Ukraine.

“I’m at the center where they help around 400 refugees, 400 hundred refugees in the same building,” he said.

In Warsaw, he’s found an incredible humanitarian effort on the part of the Polish government.

“All [train] tickets for all Ukrainians are free.”

“Poland gives free sim cards and free [cellular] service for 100 days for all Ukrainians.”

“Behind me, you see a tent. Here they give some medical help for those who are in need of this help.”

While the basic needs of many Ukrainians are being met, Bormotov is worried about their mental health.

“Poland is helping a lot with accommodation, food, even some support, like financial and schooling and doctors. However, the biggest problems I’ve discovered are psychological needs.”

Bormotov said that it may be difficult to get refugees to accept help when processing the trauma of war.

“They are in psychological trauma that they cannot actually process. I admire the administration of this center trying to help; however, for Ukrainians, reach for psychological help is something that’s not culturally accepted.”

To remedy this problem, Bormotov has helped facilitate a partnership between the refugee center and his Alma Mater, Andrews University.

Yesterday, administrators from the refugee center met virtually with social work experts at Andrews to receive training on dealing with psychological trauma.

Donations to Bormotov’s non-profit, GO 4 LIFE, can be made through the following link: https://donorbox.org/go4lifeukraine