Providing Vital Winter Warmth to Ukraine - with Love from New Zealand

Kiwi K.A.R.E (Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation), which started operations in Ukraine in June 2022, supplying medical and humanitarian aid into forward areas behind the front line, has launched a new fundraising initiative to manufacture 1200 lifesaving wood burning stoves and water heaters for the people of Ukraine.

We first distributed heaters and stoves last year as a trail, with many who received them saying they were lifesavers. By October 2023, we had requests for over 1000 units and anticipate this will easily grow to 1200.

As with many initiatives in war torn Ukraine, our project management approach has been to work with what is available. In this case, remodelling old recycled electrical water cylinders which are stripped down to access the core tank. This is then cut and welded into various sized stoves and water boilers.

At a build cost of between $160 for a basic stove and $260 for a combined stove and water heater, this fundraising initiative is aimed at raising the $250,000 necessary to support those families in most need.

Eastern European winters are harsh, and we know the inevitable targeting by Russia of civilian infrastructure, such as power and water facilities, will come once again.

Our little country, on the other side of the world is becoming well known in Ukraine due to the stellar service of many New Zealanders who have come to support them in their darkest hour during an existential and genocidal war.