The Doctor Who Rushed To The Border
When Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February and millions of people began f leeing to neighbouring Poland, Peter Haarmann, a doctor from Stühlingen in southwestern Germany, knew he had to help. He left his medical practice and headed to the town of Przemysl, in southeastern Poland, as soon as he could to help refugees crossing the border. Dr Haarmann stayed for two weeks.
This interview with German broadcaster SWR took place shortly after he arrived in early March.
Dr Haarmann, what is the situation where you are now?
We’ve been here at the border for four days and we’re seeing a steady flow of refugees. They are exhausted, sick and mentally stressed. Most are women with children, and older people. There are almost no men.
What are the people telling you? Conversation is a bit difficult because we don’t have anyone on our team who speaks Ukrainian. From time to time we have a couple of interpreters nearby – often refugees themselves – who come to help us.
It is quite difficult. These women are often severely traumatised and take loving care of their children. Sometimes, after we have given their child a surprise treat and we ask the mothers whether we can do anything for them, too, tears fill their eyes, and they turn away.
In what ways are you able to help out medically?
I can partially examine people and make sure they get the appropriate medicine. We brought a lot of medications with us, for example, treatments for skin conditions caused by the cold. Being out in this weather for so many hours takes a toll. Diarrhoea has also become a problem. Medical-aid deliveries are arriving here by the truckload, and some of them go directly into Ukraine, to military hospitals. We’ve already established contact there, and their drivers, often women, come here to pick up supplies.
What made you decide to come to Poland to help? When news about these terrible events first came out, I heard about a local businessman collect ing things and delivering them by truck to the Ukraine border. I thought, I can drive there too and help.
When I mentioned this at my doctor’s office, one of my employees immediately said: “I’ll come with you.”
What would you like to say to people back home?
I can only appeal for continued support for these people who have been so battered by this war. Please, please keep donating. First and foremost, donate money. We are also establishing connections while we are here at
“I can make sure people get the right medication. Truck-loads of medical aid are arriving”
the border so that we can still help once we have returned to Stühlingen. Aren’t you scared to be so close to a war zone?
No. But we know that some people are worried about us. We always try to convey that we feel very safe here. We are not afraid. Other emotions are much more on our minds.