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Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine

  • DONATION UPDATE - $500 has gone to Ohmatdyt, a hospital that continues to treat children injured in the war

      20 September 2022
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    Ohmatdyt is the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, treating up to 20,000 children annually. Based in Kyiv, it was affected by explosions in the early days of Russian invasion. After patients were evacuated for safety, 300 staff remained, many moving in to live in the hospital full-time, ready to treat injured children.

    They have since treated a countless numbers of patients. The stories are heartbreaking and it is difficult for us to recount them here (we have instead attached a few links below). As the war dragged on, many children are now receiving rehabilitation and psychological help.

    Many children's lives have been saved thanks to the staff of Ohmatdyt.

    https://ohmatdyt.com.ua/en/

    https://kyivindependent.com/national/ukraines-biggest-childrens-hospital-treats-people-wounded-by-russians

    https://ohmatdyt.com.ua/en/the-stories-of-ohmatdyt-children-who-have-suffered-from-the-war/

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  • DONATION UPDATE - $500 has gone towards first aid kits, water purifying tablets and 4 new wheels for a delivery van

      18 September 2022
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    This volunteer group started in 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea and the beginning of the war in the East of the country. There was a need for food and warm clothing. Donations were collected and brought to East Ukraine where they were needed. The group grew from there and they started making packs of dry borscht mix (a traditional Ukrainian soup) - it was easy to transport and easy to cook. Initially everything was done by hand and with household equipment, later on with the help of friends a professional kitchen was purchased.

    "And the work went on from there, we would receive a tonne of vegetables per week. In total, we prepared packs that would go on to make 60,000 litres of ready-made borscht!" - a long term volunteer.

    Aside from making borscht, the group also helps refugees, hospitals, medical evacuation brigades, delivers groceries and other food to conflict zones, builds and delivers cooking equipment such as stoves and much more.

    Their delivery van recently came under fire and had to be repaired. Your donations went towards 4 new wheels, as well as first aid kits and water tablets that will be delivered to conflict zones.

    This is a photo of the above purchases. We have uploaded more photos of their volunteer work to our gallery - please have a look. A massive thank you from them and from us!

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  • DONATION UPDATE - First $1000 has gone to feed Ukrainians affected by the war

      11 September 2022
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    Apologies about a late update - we had a busy month with Ukrainian Independence Day and have only just had time to sit down and update you on the impact your donations have made. All money has already been transferred to those in need and we are just waiting on the few last photos from the groups / organisations so we can fill you in!

    Our first donation has gone to a local volunteer group in Odessa, run through a church. They prepare food and food parcels for war victims - those who have escaped the occupied territories and those from areas that are being bombed. They receive no formal funds, all funds are provided by the church members and donations from local Ukrainians.

    They make roughly 3000 servings of food and 200kg of baking per month and deliver to those in need. Volunteers are of all ages, many are in their 70s!

    "Mom cooks her own food every day, it's her own way of surviving, by helping others" - daughter of a mother who is a church member and active volunteer, aged 71.

    We received many photos, this page only allows one photo per update so we have put a few of the best together - there are many more!

    The group is beyond thankful for your donations. A huge thank you from them, from us, and from the wider Ukrainian community.

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  • Thank you so much for your on-going support – both on this page and off it!

      23 July 2022
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    The war in Ukrainian continues despite no longer making headlines and it is important that we continue supporting a country that is fighting for international values of freedom and independence.

    AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT HOW WE HANDLE YOUR DONATION:

    We initially planned to use the Ukrainian Education and Support Trust account to receive and manage donations on this page. We have since realised that this is somewhat limiting, as donating via the Trust requires going through several processes. This results in a longer time for the money to reach Ukraine and limits the variety of charities we can donate to.

    We have therefore decided to open an account not affiliated with the Trust specifically for this page. The funds will be paid into a bank account in the name Olga Dubnytska. This ensures that your donations will:

    1. Get to Ukraine quicker AND

    2. Reach a wider range of local charities / organisations

    The account has now been opened by one of the members of our Ukrainian community and will result in swifter transfers and more direct help to the Ukrainian people.

    The Give a Little organisers have confirmed that this change is about to take place, and we will update you as soon as we receive our first transfer, as well as give you details about where it goes - we expect this to happen in the next week.

    In the meantime we have received many donations off this page and thought you may be interested in knowing where these went:

    - KharkivHelp - An NGO founded by local IT companies. They work alongside and help 42 local volunteer organisations in Kharkiv. Focus is on financial and humanitarian aid. https://helpkharkiv.org/

    - Voices of Children - A charitable organisation with a focus on psychological support for children affected by the war. https://voices.org.ua/

    - Ohmatdyt - The largest children's hospital in Ukraine. They treat children from all over Ukraine, including heavily targeted areas like Bucha and Mariupol. https://ohmatdyt.com.ua/en/

    - Misto Dobra - Translating to "A place of good", this is a centre for support of women and children in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. https://misto-dobra.com.ua/

    With the donations on this page we hope to reach more local Ukrainian organisations, including smaller groups that do not have the capacity to reach the international community. We will keep you posted.

    Ngā mihi nui.

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  • Update

      27 April 2022
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    Kia ora e te whānau,

    We have been touched by the kiwis response - both in donations but also in messages of support and solidarity. We have received 30 generous donations in the last three weeks and wanted to say a massive thank you.

    The funds have not been released to us yet but we have been busy contacting family and friends in Ukraine as well as doing our own research about the best place for our first donation to go. Just to name a few: KharkivHelp - a volunteer organisation which provides food and assistance with evacuations, The City of Good - a charitable organisation providing shelter for mothers and children, and a volunteer group in Chernihiv, which distributes groceries, medicine and protective vests.

    Once the funds are released we will make our first donation and of course update you. We plan on making a monthly donation to organisations such as those listed above, with the aim of reaching a region that is most in need at that time.

    We have also been busy fundraising in other ways. Our Ukrainian stall at the Hokowhitu Farmers Market earlier this month has raised $2000 thanks to your generosity. These funds are going to KharkivHelp and towards food (My Food Bag boxes) and medicines for Ukrainian families who have recently arrived to Aotearoa as displaced persons. We will have a stall at the upcoming Summerhill Farmers Market this Sunday, 1st May. If you are in the region please come and say hello, try some traditional Ukrainian food and help support Ukraine.

    Commemorating ANZAC Day earlier this week, we are incredibly grateful to be living in a peaceful country. To quote Prime Minister Jacinda Adern: “Today, on this day, we are yet again reminded that peace cannot be taken for granted. That it must be preserved by the acts of leaders, and protected through the actions of citizens. We must all do our part. Lest we forget.”

    Ngā mihi nui New Zealand.

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