In summer 1998, the cities of Kaliningrad and Baltijsk asked all UBC member cities for help in this time of economical and financial crisis in Russia. For many public social institutions like hospitals, orphanages, senior homes, etc. It is now extremely difficult to maintain the minimum standards of attention.

The call was heard all around the Baltic Sea. Citizens of a great number of cities collected goods or money, especially before Christmas. On the 22nd UBC Board Meeting in Szczecin on 16-17 October 1998 the Commission on Health and Social Affairs offered to collect the information about the city initiatives and other useful information for those who want to help.

Read about it in the UBC Bulletin on Health and Social Affairs No.1/1999.