We condemn Russian’s military actions and express our support to Ukraine
We unequivocally condemn the military action that Russia has undertaken towards Ukraine. We wish to express our support and sympathy towards Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We are finding out about our chances of providing potential emergency housing of Ukrainian refugees.
Recent events in Europe have been shocking and unjust. Ukraine has been subjected to a senseless and unprovoked military assault decided by the Russian government. The Russian Federation aims to cloud the issue and distorts the truth about Ukraine. The security situation in Europe has changed radically.
Us, the people of Hoas and all of Finland, are very upset about what has happened. We wish to express our support and sympathy towards Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We unequivocally condemn the military action that Russia has undertaken towards Ukraine. Russia must immediately stop these activities and respect Ukraine’s national sovereignty and borders.
The Ukrainians are understandably concerned for their own and their loved ones’ well-being, and for their country’s fate and future. Finland, Europe, and the entire world are worried about the recent turn of events. There are Ukrainian students living in the metropolitan area, and we also have them as Hoas tenants. For them, the situation is crushing. The people of Ukraine studying in Finland face a situation where they may not know the whereabouts and fate of their friends and relatives, or what has happened to their parents and relatives who are directly involved in the war. We are finding out about the foundation’s chances of providing a limited number of currently available apartments as potential emergency housing of Ukrainian refugees.
While we condemn the Russian Federation’s actions, we must also understand that Russian students living in Finland have no part in what has happened or the related decisions and military action. The situation is naturally confusing for them too. At Hoas, we trust that every single one of us considers the military operation targeted at Ukraine unambiguously indefensible. We also wish to underline that each and every student and tenant at Hoas is treated equally, and we have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or mistreatment based on qualities such as nationality.
There are never any winners in a war. In a war, everyone loses. We have now all had to face a new situation in global politics. This raises concerns in us all as we cannot be certain how things will develop or what are the possible consequences. We would like to remind you that if you experience feelings of distress or fear, you can talk to someone in the association of MIELI Mental Health Finland: mieli.fi/en/support-and-help. The Nyyti association also offers help and support: www.nyyti.fi/en.
In a situation like this, we need each other and our community: Let us talk to our friends and ask how our neighbours are doing. We will leave no one behind, both in Ukraine and at Hoas. Let us take care of one another.
In Helsinki February 28th, 2022
Mikko Myllys
Chairperson of Hoas Board of Directors
Matti Tarho
Managing Director of Hoas