Meeting the needs – in times of war

Through the intervention of the partner organization Winds of Changes, the civil defense of the Kherson region contacted the BerlinOdessaExpress in the summer. Within a few weeks, the need and the specific technical details were clarified and two used vehicles in good condition were purchased cheaply from municipal stocks. In Germany there are numerous used cars from fire departments and technical support services, so it makes sense to buy these cars here in Germany and take the long journey to Ukraine to hand them over. The vehicles were traveling at a speed of 90 km/h only – over a distance of around 1,700 kilometers from Berlin via Poland to the Ukraine. Firefighters from Denmark took on this transfer on a voluntary basis. The aid organizations Be An Angel and Ambulance for Kids helped with their contacts. Ukrainian firefighters provided overnight sleeping accommodations at their stations.

The help was accepted immediately. The very next day one of the cars was immediately in use. The Kherson region is attacked by Russian artillery and drones every day. The civilian population, which is still holding out after the liberation of the previously Russian-occupied areas west of the Dnipro River, is being specifically targeted. Older and poorer people in particular cannot or do not want to leave their houses and gardens. Main and volunteer support teams provide them with the essentials and come to search, rescue and extinguish fires in an emergency. The rescue teams are specifically targeted. Numerous fire engines and ambulances were destroyed by drones.

The partner organization Winds of Changes supports those affected with medication, hygiene materials and therapeutic offers. After attacks, emergency teams go to the bombed-out people to provide spiritual care and help with evacuation and everything else. The now 13th aid delivery from the BerlinOdessaExpress brought not only firefighting and recovery technology but also medical materials and hygiene products into the country. Even more important than this material form of solidarity was the reunion with the volunteers from Germany and Denmark. It shows the local people suffering after years of war that their fate is not lost in ever more new media reports about global crises, but that their fate counts.

We would like to thank all helpers and donors who made this important support possible! The next transport is just around the corner. With a view to the next winter of war, we are collecting to support first responders as well as psychosocial and medical services. Specifically, generators and medication are currently being put together.