In This Together is a hotline that strives to support self-isolating
people over 60 all over Russia and coordinate aid for them. The main task of
the call centre is to help volunteers ensure food and medications delivery to
the elderly in self-isolation. This age group is at highest risk due to the
spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. As of
today, the call centre has processed over 1.5 million calls and over 170 thousand requests.
As the
coronavirus situation aggravates in Russia, call centre operators register more
and more requests for psychological support, as well as questions about the
operation of religious institutions during the quarantine.
In this time of hardship, many people are looking for
both psychological assistance and updates about religious events. In this
regard, the Innosocium Foundation the social platform of the Roscongress
Foundation is joining efforts with the All-Russia Peoples Front, the Russian
Orthodox Church, the Chief Rabbinate of Russia, and the International Association
of Islamic Business to get them involved in the work of the hotline for people
over 60 and people with disabilities.
«Today, it
is crucial to provide moral support to the elderly. This situation is more
physically and emotionally challenging for them. At this moment, everything is
going online, and the usual lifestyles are ruined. It takes a lot for the older
generation to get adjusted. One of our key tasks is to help the elderly cope
with this time of trouble and to support them. This assistance becomes even
more important during big religious holidays. I am confident that joint efforts
of all religions, organizations and volunteers involved in the hotline
operation will help us overcome all the difficulties,» noted Anton Kobyakov,
Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation.
The nationwide
hotline In This Together strives to support self-isolating people over 60 and
people with disabilities and coordinate aid for them. These two groups are at
highest risk due to the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. The project is
organized by the All-Russian Peoples Front with support from the Roscongress
Foundation a
socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer
of international conventions; exhibitions; and sporting, public, and cultural
events; Association of
Volunteer Centres, Medical Volunteers (a public movement of international
cooperation), Volunteers of the Constitution movement, and Rostelecom.
«During this time of
hardship, people need to hear words of cheer and hope. Our hotline gets
requests for psychological assistance of both secular and spiritual nature. It
is valid for the Orthodox Christians in anticipation of Easter and for those
who belong to other religions as well. It is good that clergy of different
religions decided to take spiritual guidance and support upon themselves. This
is such a difficult and important task. It means that we are truly
#InThisTogether,» shared Dmitry Polikanov, Deputy Head of All-Russian Peoples
Front Executive Committee.
«When the usual
environment changes, spiritual advisors come in handy. We are happy that our
initiative was supported by representatives of three religions,» noted Elena
Marinina, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the
Innosocium Foundation.
«The Russian
Orthodox Church has opened its assistance centres and offices around the
country: thousands of Orthodox Christian volunteers help self-isolated people.
They deliver groceries and medications. Sisters of Mercy assist in bedridden
patient care. Church funded projects for the homeless and our humanitarian aid
centres are experiencing a surge in requests. A number of our eparchies,
including Moscow, run their own church hotlines. This week is the Holy Week. It
is the time all Orthodox Christians usually spend in church preparing for their
main holiday the Holy Easter. However, many people now have to stay home.
Spiritual support becomes essential for them. That is why it is so good that
our priests would be able to take the calls for the In This Together
hotline,» stated Bishop Panteleimon, Chairman of the Synodal Department for
Church Charity and Social Ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church; Head of the
Miloserdie Orthodox Charity Organization.
The
International Association of Islamic Business is a platform that unites
entrepreneurs from Russia and international business leaders that are driven by
ethics and share a deep respect for the elderly. This platform has joined the
project. «The older generation needs material, physical and spiritual aid now
more than ever. We are ready to provide whatever it takes to improve the
quality of life for those in need. If each of us starts helping people from our
inner circle gradually spreading help to the ones who are not so close, more
and more people in need will get the necessary help and attention sooner rather
than later,» said Marat Kabaev, President of the Association.
At this moment, Russian Orthodox priests and
representatives of the Muslim community have confirmed their
participation in the hotline. Jewish clergy are expected to join the project in
the near future.
The In
This Together hotline offers daily updates on the spread of the virus and
preventive measures available in the country as of the day of request. Also,
elderly people and people with disabilities can request assistance in
purchasing and delivering groceries, medications, and essentials. Aid will be
provided by volunteer services.
The hotline number is +7 (800) 200 3411.