INDIANAPOLIS — Most Americans do not know what it's like for those escaping the war in Ukraine.
We've seen videos of the bombing aftermath, people seeking shelter and some videos of people fleeing the country.
Hoosiers are offering a helping hand and sharing stories of things they're seeing overseas.
"It's real," Brian Rund said. "I think if there is one word that sums it up, you see it in person and it's real."
Rund, a native of Indianapolis, is volunteering in Poland.
He is describing what he sees in Poland as Ukrainians escape the invasion of Russia.
"They just put cots in the aisles, the store is still operating but they just put cots in the aisle," Rund said.
Since Saturday, Rund has been in Kraków, Poland helping cook and serve meals for roughly 10,000 refugees per day.
"It's really interesting," Rund said. "It's sad in a lot of ways. You see these people and because these Ukrainian men 18-60 are not allowed to leave its women. Very often women with small children, and older people over 60."
All many Ukrainians have with them is what they can carry. Rund said many of them come in on a train.
"You can just imagine what it's like to not only have to flea your home but to do it with a baby. That's awful," Rund said.
Despite the tragedy, Rund said there is a sense of unity. A light on the people of Poland coming together to help their neighbors.
"Outside the door of the train station there were probably 30 or 40 strollers, a dozen or so portable cribs that fold up, and most of them were filled to the top with all kinds of baby supplies," Rund said.
Rund said the need is still great and the situation isn't getting better and added those countries housing refugees need help too.
"Imagine having to suddenly support that many people that have nothing," Rund said.
-
Missing 13-year-old girl from Mishawaka found safe
Indiana State Police have issued a Silver Alert for a 13-year-old girl last seen in Mishawaka on Wednesday. She is believed to be in extreme danger. What we know:An app will soon connect IMPD officers to mental health resources
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's recently approved $338 million budget includes funding for mental health resources for officers and other staff.1984: Roadside motel billed as ‘cat shelter of the future’
Hans and Lucille Fried gained attention for their commitment to cats when they sold their home to pay for a roadside motel that would become Fried’s Cat Shelter.DPW prepares to convert 29th and 30th Streets into two-way roads
DPW will soon convert both streets into two-lane, two-way roads between Meridian Street and the White River. The transformation will begin after Citizens Gas removes lead pipes beneath the roads.