A Brutal Russian Offensive Begins & The Resilient People of Ukraine Carry On
Eastern Ukrainian cities, like Bakhmut (pictured above), and its resident’s have become a picture of Ukraine’s resilience since the latest offensive began. Moscow’s forces escalate attacks on the Donbas region daily, hoping for a victory to coincide with the Feb. 24 anniversary of the 2022 invasion. But we continue to send aid and generators as far east as possible, supporting the efforts of those who hold the line - and providing life-saving basics those who cannot leave.
While helping deliver generators and supplies to the eastern-most cities, one of our staff spoke with those who have chosen not to evacuate from the Donetsk and Kherson regions - areas under heavy fire. When asked why they stayed they replied:
“We cannot abandon our parents. There are many who are terminally ill, disabled, or simply do not want to leave their own homes - we fear losing everything. Many of us also work with critical infrastructure and cannot abandon everything because we have a responsibility to our community as doctors, energy employees, police, pharmacists...”
There is certainly no lack of courage or strength amongst Ukrainians nearly one year into the conflict. Because of your support and our expanding network of delivery partners, they are able to continue fighting on for a free and democratic Ukraine!
Medical supplies and food and medicines arrive for Bakhmut [right]. Our heartfelt gratitude to humanitarian distribution partners, the Honorary Consul of Dnipro in Ukraine
Injured 6-year-old, Alisa, and Family Receiving Care in Florida
Alisa, the bravest, happiest Ukrainian girl we’ve ever met, arrived to South Florida last weekend to receive treatment at a local children's hospital. After a Russian missile fell through her bedroom in Kherson, Alisa lost her eye and took shrapnel to her left side. Her mother also had shrapnel embedded in her back and both are undergoing necessary treatment. [Read more of their story]
In the days since she arrived, Alisa has shown the whole hospital and our team how much joy can be found in the midst of hard circumstances, engaging in physical therapy with the energy only 6-year-old can muster. We have no doubt this little fighter will keep pushing through as she heals and recovers.
Watch Coverage of Alisa’s Arrival
Partner Highlight: SOS Attitude
This wooden box may not look like much, but it holds critical medical instruments for surgeons at a Ukrainian field hospital. It was in transit through Turkey when the recent earthquakes hit, damaging the truck and injuring its driver. While no one was too badly hurt, these tools were stuck. When our partner John, at SOS Attitude — who was in Turkey delivering emergency aid from our Hub — heard about this box he immediately re-routed his return through Ankara and picked up the box to ensure the tools made it to Ukraine in good time. We’re grateful to work alongside partners who are willing to do whatever it takes to bring aid to those who need it most!
Powering Shelters & Water Supply Points
This week, 21 generators (3-7.5 kW), supplied by SOS Attitude, were delivered to the Kherson region to equip heating points, shelters, water supply points. Crucial for filling the gaps of damaged infrastructure, supporting medical care and boosting morale, generators have become one of the most sought after items from our Humanitarian Logistics Hub in Romania.
Over 60 more generators are on their way to locations from Kyiv and Cherkassy to Dnipro and the Donetsk region this week. In higher-security areas, our delivery vehicles are often escorted by military police who ensure their safe arrival.
Supporting Displaced People in Ukraine
So far, the war has caused 7 million Ukrainians to flee their homes, becoming displaced within their own country. One million of those are children, and our ground teams, delivery and donating partners work hard to ensure they have what they need daily. As mentioned above, the city of Balhmut and surrounding areas have recently been hit hard. With the assistance of NGO “Helping People” out of Kyiv, deliveries of food, milk, hygiene and baby items made it to them this week. Thank you for bringing smiles to these faces and sending support to families throughout Ukraine.
We couldn’t do any of this without you!
Our humanitarian logistics team, ground teams and staff around the world are able to save lives and make an impact because of your gifts. Thank You!
Check out the ways your support helped Ukrainians so far this month:
Catch a glimpse of our team in action through the images below - loading trucks full of aid, supplying hospitals and supporting the work of Ukrainian volunteers putting their lives at risk to distribute medicine and food, drill wells for drinking water, and evacuate families.
Internally displaced children at a local shelter receive supplies and sweets from the Tulcea Humanitarian Logistics Hub in Dnipro. Some sweet moments of delight in the midst of war.
Delivery partners, the Global Ukraine Organization, support distribution of food, shampoo, hygiene items and milk to Kherson’s regional oncology dispensary.
Community leaders distribute aid delivered from the Tulcea Humanitarian Logistics Hub to Cherkasy region’s displaced families.
