Perm city volunteer movement keeps on active work during COVID-19 pandemic

Photos by Darya Permyakova

More than two months have passed since non-working period was implemented in Russia to slow the spread of COVID-19. During this period, in the Perm Region residents were also strongly encouraged to stay home, except to obtain food, medication or emergency medical services and to walk dogs. At present, the regional government is gradually lifting restrictions: people can go out for walks, ride bicycles, but the key requirement remains to wear face masks and keep social distancing. Small shops, beauty salons and hairdressers are now open, and large shopping centers, markets, cafes and restaurants operate takeaway and delivery services.

Senior citizens, low-income families and large families are particularly in need of support now. They are receiving enormous help from volunteers who obtain requests from residents through the United Russia Volunteer Centre and deliver food, basic household items, pet food and medicines. In total, more than 11,000 applications from potential volunteers were placed at the Centre. Volunteers also take part in free distribution of facemasks in the city along with preparing food packages for those in need.

Victory Volunteers of the Perm Region contribute to this work as well. This is an All-Russian social movement whose participants hold international events, take care of war veterans, help to improve commemorative sites, and help to promote the Russian history.

In the period from May 7 to May 9, Victory Volunteers congratulated veterans of the WWII on Victory Day and gave them food packages. Victory Volunteers participate in the Garden of Memory campaign, in which each person can plant a tree to honour a relative who died in the World War II.  Perm City Administration also participated in this campaign.

Volunteers continue doing their work.