Since the Russian Empire entered the First World War, the number of problems handled by governors increased. These included organizing the work of infirmaries and hospitals for the wounded, assisting refugees and the families of those called up for military service, cooperating with public organizations on mobilization matters, organizing the evacuation of the wounded, establishing medical institutions in the rear, and providing timely medical care.
In the first years of the war, Vyatka Governorate was headed by Governor A. G. Chernyavsky (23 June 1914 – 30 October 1915). From the moment the Russian Empire entered the First World War, A. G. Chernyavsky made significant efforts to carry out mobilization and to organize assistance for the wounded and for the families of servicemen in the active army. The large number of wounded required the creation of additional medical facilities and temporary reception points. “By order of the War Ministry, a district evacuation point was opened in the governorate. Under the governor’s leadership, a Governorate Evacuation Management and Trusteeship Committee for the Wounded was established.”]
In November 1914, A. G. Chernyavsky was confirmed in the position of Red Cross commissioner at the Vyatka evacuation point, as stated in a letter dated 19 November 1914 from the Chief Commissioner for the empire’s internal regions. The governor was also given instructions regarding the performance of his duties. For example, the letter contained recommendations on the expenditure of the society’s funds. The quality of assistance provided to those in need depended on how competently the administrator organized the activities of these public organizations.
In August 1914, A. G. Chernyavsky was appointed Chairman of the Vyatka Governorate branch of the committee of H. I. M. for providing charitable assistance to the families of persons called up for the war (rescript of H. I. H. Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna), and in January 1915, at the request of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, he was appointed “special commissioner in Vyatka Governorate for supplying civilian clothing to sick and wounded soldiers sent home.”
With the assistance of A. G. Chernyavsky, on 17 August 1914 in Vyatka a society to aid the families of reservists and militia members was opened: “Thanks to the donations I collected, (the society) received 12,000 rubles for its fund and about 2,000 in secure monthly receipts. The opening day brought in more than 4,000 rubles, and with subsequent donations the fund already exceeds 20,000 rubles. The number of members is over 400.” The society was also able to support 100 children in a shelter and donated 2,000 rubles to the committee for temporary assistance to those affected by military operations.