Shakhtar Donetsk Help Turn Lviv Arena Stadium Into Emergency Camp For Ukrainian Refugees

The Lviv Arena has been transformed into a makeshift camp for Ukrainian refugees. (Photo: Instagram @arena_lviv_official)

JAKARTA – The Shakhtar Donetsk club helped convert the Lviv Arena for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. The stadium, which has a capacity of 34,000 spectators, is now being used as an emergency camp.

Shakhtar estimates the stadium can accommodate between 2000 and 3000 refugees.

"We played here before in the Champions League. In partnership with local authorities, we have arranged for this stadium to be a shelter for two to three thousand people," said Shakhtar Donetsk communications director Yuri Sviridov.

"If other clubs want to help or send goods, preferably things like blankets, mattresses, beds, pillows. That will be very useful," said Sviridov continued.

So far the club that has sent aid is Benfica. The Portuguese club sent five trucks filled with food, medicine and clothes.

Meanwhile, Polish club Legia Warsaw have given up their stadium to serve as a center for receiving aid from other clubs before being transported to Arena Lviv.

The city of Lviv is 90 kilometers from the Polish border and was one of the places that hosted the European Cup in 2012. At that time Poland and Ukraine were appointed to host the four-year event on the Blue Continent.

There are many volunteers helping in Lviv to distribute food and other supplies to refugees. Shakhtar have also added their resources to volunteer.

So far the Russian invasion has not reached the city. Therefore, Lviv is considered a safer place to evacuate than other cities.