Yesterday we left Subotica for Belgrade. The images of the young men and boys we met there still fresh in my mind… Their life in this moment no more than a shadow on the railway tracks of a strange land.

Meanwhile, my social media is full of outpourings of inspiring help and love for Ukraine. As it should be! But I just can’t shake the lump in my throat for all the world’s refugees who don’t experience this kindness from the world. How they must feel watching it unfold in front of them.

There are small teams of 6-10 volunteers in each border location showing the same kindness to these shadows as thousands of others are showing to Ukrainians. Here are the “wash centres” provided by grassroots charity Collective Aid in Subotica and Belgrade, for example.

The first in Subotica is a mobile shower with 2-3 shower cubicles inside the truck. There’s a water IBC rigged to gas heating the water. This team have washing machines back at the warehouse if anyone wants a bag of washing done. The truck has to be parked up in waste land far out of site of town for the people to take a shower in peace.

Here in Belgrade there are washing machines and tumble dryers in this small wash centre, and showers on the first floor. Anyone can come and use the services for free (including locals).

I’ll be working here today and will learn more.

Both teams are operating on shoestring budgets and small, dedicated volunteer teams mostly from across Europe, but also as far as Mexico and the USA.

At forRefugees we continue to support all refugees equally. If you have found your compassion for refugees through what’s happened in Ukraine. If it’s the jolt that makes you realise it can happen to anyone, then please expand your compassion to all refugees. And don’t worry about why they’re a refugee or if they’re all males. There are trained case workers who deal with that. Just know that someone’s been forced from their home and family and everything they know and that’s really hard, so vow to be friendly and kind to them. Please.