Shelter Kits for Local Shelters in Ukraine
Our project aimed to send much needed resources to local shelters in Irpin, Ukraine.
| Project Title | Shelter Kits for Local Shelters in Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Year | 2023 |
| Location | Irpin |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Genre | Aid |
| Lead Name(s) | Emily Gordon, Valeria Ivanova |
| School(s) | UWC Red Cross Nordic |
| Other Organisations | N/A |
| Value | $1000 |
Background
It was amazing to see the difference we had made
Throughout the process, we were directly in contact with the Ukrainian Red Cross and had several zoom meetings to organise the supplies and shipping logistics. Ultimately, the Ukrainian Red Cross asked us to send hygienic supplies instead of first aid kits, because there were legal issues with sending medications and medical products.
Much needed supplies sent during the crisis
Therefore, chose to send items including toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, cleaning supplies, deodorant and diapers. We packaged 6 boxes full of supplies and emailed the Red Cross to confirm a shipping destination. Before this, we had negotiated a deal with the Norwegian Postal Services to acquire free shipping to Ukraine, since we were sending humanitarian aid.
The Ukrainian Red Cross emailed us after the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam, which was breached on June 6th and flooded cities, impacting 40,000 people caught in the flood zones. We were instructed to send our boxes to the local Red Cross branch in Kryvyi Rih. We sent the boxes immediately through the Norwegian Postal Services and received photos a few weeks later of the women and children who had received our supplies. We have since been in contact with the Red Cross and hope to continue the initiative of sending humanitarian aid through future generations at UWC RCN.
How the Funding Was Used
To buy the much needed hygiene products
How They Made A Difference
We helped them retain a sense of human dignity through the crisis, as they were provided with the necessary resources to be clean. We successfully completed our project by sending 6 boxes of aid, 60x38x39cm, fully packed with supplies. We are incredibly proud of what we accomplished, because it was not an easy process. We faced many legal issues regarding medical products and had to be flexible in order to shift our focus to other supplies. We struggled at first to get in contact with the Red Cross, and we were refused assistance by the Norwegian Red Cross. We faced issues with the postal services and were unsure whether we would face additional postal charges. However, as a team we worked through all of the challenges and we are incredibly proud of the way our work paid off.
How The Project Made A Difference for the Volunteers
It was amazing to see the difference we had made in the photos sent to us by the Ukrainian Red Cross. We could see the relief and gratitude on the faces of the women and children who now had access to basic humanitarian supplies and hygienic products. We made a difference in the lives of civilians who were impacted by the flooding and who lost their homes and all of their personal belongings.
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It was amazing to see the difference we had made