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.
-
After getting a taste of postseason success, the Pacers want to do even more
Tyrese Haliburton got his real taste of postseason success earlier this year. It’s only fueled his hunger to reach new heights — even if the doubters still exist.Appeals court reinstates Indiana lawsuit against TikTok
Those suits allege the app contains “salacious and inappropriate content” despite the company claiming it is safe for children 13 years and under.John Mellencamp statue coming to IU's Bloomington campus
The university announced it will dedicate a statue to Mellencamp on Oct. 18. The musician, who was born and raised 50 miles away in Seymour, is expected to attend the dedication ceremony.IMPD, neighbors concerned after 2 homicides occur at same rental property
For the second time in less than two months, Indianapolis police are looking into a homicide at the same address on the city's northeast side.