Dear colleagues, students, and members of our community,
Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a severe test for our neighbours, with whom we share centuries of history, democratic values, and a desire for freedom. In these difficult days, the Ukrainian people need the support and backing of all of us. VU LSC leaders invite you to join us in supporting Ukraine and its people by contributing your time and energy, by sharing verified and reliable information, and, where possible, by providing financial and material support.
SUPPORT
Here are some of the initiatives you can contribute to or support (in case the link provided leads to a Lithuanian-only page, please ask your closest colleagues to assist):
- If you can host refugee families or organise transport from the border, take a look at the Strong Together initiative: https://stipruskartu.lt/
- You can volunteer for humanitarian aid (packing, sorting, transporting, etc.), first aid and psychological care, registration of foreigners, and other necessary activities.
Red Cross volunteer registration: https://www.redcross.lt/savanoriaukite
Registration for volunteering with Save the Children:
Register to volunteer at the Food Bank: www.maistobankas.lt/reg
Registration for volunteering at Lithuanian Caritas: https://forms.gle/EkAD8iSJt4aYYr3x8
Registration for volunteering with the Malteser Organisation: https://forms.office.com/r/E3gGXPpkvB
- Financial support for humanitarian aid and the Ukrainian Armed Forces: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/en/
- Vilnius University Foundation is also actively collecting donations to support the Ukrainian academic community. For more information: https://vuf.lt/en/projektai/ukrainai/
- If you can provide temporary shelter for animals affected in Ukraine, help with transport, or financially, please find the form here: http://tiny.cc/i83puz
RELIABLE NEWS
As the information fog and propaganda intensify, it is essential to share RELIABLE information. Sources of reliable information (be sure to check the sources yourself) can be found on the VU TSMI Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TSPMI/posts/5542618252421803.
It is essential to remember that the quality of the information, not the quantity, matters in this case. The lies spread by the aggressor's government-controlled TV, press, and social portals should be ignored entirely, as they are aimed at creating tension and intimidation. We should be immune to such news and rely only on national media broadcasters and other reliable sources.
HOW TO REDUCE TENSIONS
Stay strong, remember to take care of your emotional health. If you feel anxious and/or fearful, first limit the amount of information and select the sources you read/watch, and don't watch the news all the time. If you can't cope with your feelings, seek professional help at the VU Counselling and Training Centre: https://www.fsf.vu.lt/en/about-the-faculty/structure/counseling-and-training-center#counseling
Psychologists say that fear and anxiety are different things. Fear has a specific object; anxiety does not. Of course, anxiety can be triggered by aggressive statements, public intimidation by aggressors to the world of which we, Lithuania, are a part.
WE ARE SAFE
In this context, we would like to stress that Lithuania is safer today than ever, because we are part of a democratic world, we are members of the most potent political and military alliance - NATO - and we are part of one of the world's largest economies, the European Union. All this gives us confidence that the aggression in Ukraine will not spread to our region.
Alliance forces, analysts, and soldiers are monitoring and analysing the situation, gathering intelligence, preparing responses to various scenarios, and ensuring that all EU inhabitants are informed promptly.
In this situation, we call on our community to stick to the daily routine and to plan and implement our academic activities and projects to achieve our goals. I would suggest that the more sensitive, closed-minded people not be alone with their own thoughts. Communication helps us not to feel lonely, and shared pain, fear, or anxiety is reduced.
SUGGESTIONS
Talk to your colleagues, your supervisor. All LSC supervisors and Institute Directors are available to discuss complex cases in person, to offer advice and solutions to reduce anxiety in academic groups and laboratories.
Let us remain calm and dignified, let us help those in need, and let us do what we can to help Ukraine and our relatives and friends. Let us be strong to help others! Our strength is in unity!