May 18, 2023
51,128 people evacuated from danger to date
165 people evacuated from danger this week
24 trips into the deoccupied and frontline territories
Throughout the week, our volunteers were reaching out during the nights, reporting intense bombardments in Ukrainian cities. These attacks, intended to be merciless and deadly, were thwarted by Ukrainian air defense units, which managed to shoot down the majority of rockets. It was particularly ironic that these assaults took place during Russia's display of militaristic pomp commemorating “bringing peace to humanity” after the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Meanwhile, we found a different cause for celebrating with our volunteers. On Mother's Day we honored the courageous mothers and their brave daughters who lead the Ukrainian volunteer movement. In a fortuitous turn of events, we received a wonderful opportunity to mark this special day. Sara Moylan, the founder and owner of SHEFIT, approached us earlier this year, generously offering to donate her exceptional products to the women of Ukraine.
After a few weeks, a shipment of top-notch sports bras arrived in Kyiv. We chose Zemlyachki, a renowned Ukrainian NGO dedicated to supporting women in the military, as our main partner for distributing these valuable items. UTC remains wholly committed to humanitarian endeavors. However, we believe that aiding in this project aligned with our mission as it addressed the fundamental human needs of Ukrainian women who courageously defend their homes and families.
UTC partnered with the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan to restore schools in Ukraine, focusing on the school in the village of Boromlia. The school serves as a crucial education hub for multiple surrounding villages in the Sumy region. After surviving the occupation, the school’s boiler house was damaged, so it had to stop operating during the winter. Last week, custom-made boiler equipment was finally delivered to the site, marking a significant step in the restoration process. Demolition and installation work are in progress, and the goal is to reopen the school in September. Throughout this endeavor, we will continue to provide regular progress updates.
Ukraine Team Milestones
Anastasia’s Team
Trip to Donbas
Anastasia and her volunteer team ventured into Maksymivka, a village located on the outskirts of Ukraine's conflict zone, where battles are heard to the south and east. In her voice memo, Anastasia recounted, "We heard not only the artillery, but also gunshots, which surprised us." Despite the risks, they managed to distribute 300 packages, witnessing the persistent demand for hygiene products and essential items. While the recipients expressed gratitude and warmth, some local residents refrained from approaching for assistance. These distributions near the frontline always carry the danger of attracting enemy fire, potentially instigated by local supporters of the invaders. Consequently, the volunteer teams must constantly change their position and avoid large gatherings of people.
Inna’s Team - Krok z Nadiyeyu
This week we launched the third phase of the project distributing tens of thousands of seedlings in frontline regions around Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, Kryvyi Rih. Seedlings are extremely fragile and meticulous planning is required to make sure theey are distributed and planted within 24 hours of leaving the greenhouse. Simultaneously, the efforts from the previous two stages are paying off. We are delighted to receive an increasing number of pictures capturing the emergence and growth of seeds in Ukraine's war-torn, but fertile soil, evoking a profound sense of joy.
Volunteers traveled to Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. During aid distribution, they identified urgent deficit of household chemicals
Based on this, the 2nd team followed up with food and chemical deliveries to Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Konstantynivka, Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk. Shelling took place shortly before volunteer arrival. A shrapnel piece hit the gates of their destination address.
Medicine and food distributed in Kharkiv, Kamena Yaruha, Mala Danylivka. Potatoes planted near Chuguyev, Kharkiv region
Two more trips to Berislav and Davydiv Brid, near Kherson, delivering 140 packages and seedlings
Brought aid to Pavlohrad, Nikopol, Kamyanske, Verhovtsevo, Slavhorod Bulahivka, Dnipro region, distributed 20,000 seedlings there.
7950 received aid packages, 11000 received bread.
Dina’s Vilni Liudy – Vilna Krayina
Dina's team provided assistance to two extraordinary mothers in dire circumstances. The majority of the funds were raised through a crowdsource campaign among the internally displaced population supported by her NGO. UTC stepped in to bridge the remaining gap. Dina procured a wheelchair and a physical therapy pedal exerciser for a mother of four children from Izyum recovering from a spine surgery. Her husband serves in the armed forces. In a separate effort, Yulia gathered funds for a mother in Kremenchuk who urgently required life-saving heart surgery. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and we are optimistic for her complete recovery.
Ihor Dobra Sprava (“Good Cause”)
12 trips and 162 people evacuated
Oleksandr D’s Volunteer Networks
Pavlo V (Dnipro): Bread delivered to House of Mercy shelter for disabled and displaced people. 4 tons of aid were delivered to Dobropillya, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Sivers’k along with warm blankets as people are sleeping in basements for safety, + 100 batteries, 20 headlamps, and 30 first-aid kits.
Oleksandr S (Boyarka): Delivered / distributed 8 tons of planting potatoes in surrounding villages.
Vladyslav K (Mykolaiv): Delivered / distributed 28 tons of water, 2 tons of food and 350 food kits.
Vilis N (Chernivtsi): sent 20 tons of food to Kramatorsk, partly to be distributed in Sloviansk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka.
Oleksandr Z (Lutsk): conducted 3 art therapy classes for children. Helped 48 disabled and internally displaced children with groceries.
Kseniia - NGO Livyj Bereh
5 more roofs rebuilt in Kharkiv region
Delivered targeted aid to families, whose roofs were previously restored
Svitlana and Olha in Kherson distributed 120 packages in Oleksandrivka
Svitlana and Olha distributed aid at 5 locations in Kherson to 186 people total.
Natasha - Vysnia Volunteer Center
Demining of Kherson villages continued this week as our teams continue to support demining teams with help on fuel and transportation.
Karina - We Save Dnipro
Karina teamed up with Dobra Sprava to send 180 packages of aid to the villages of Druzhkovka and Konstantinovka
There are 72 people in the shelter
3 People were evacuated from Kurakhovo
Timur’s Team – Timur and Team
300 packages of food and sweets in Tishky village
400 packages of hygienic products delivered to Kivsharivka
100 packages distributed locally in Saltivka, Kharkiv
70 packages in Triskuni
Tetiana’s Team - Dopomoha Poruch
130 packages of food and hygiene products delivered to Uman’, along with household supplies
217 food packages distributed in Smila
35 packages delivered to the elderly and the disabled via the Department of Social Services in Smila
Pavel - Touch of Heart and Dawn of Hope
4224 people received aid packages in Mykolayiv region
Continued to distribute seeds in Lymany, Bavovne, Luch, Myrne, Novohrygorivka, Kotlyarove.
Provided mattresses and food, clothing to 19 refugee families from Mariupol currently living in Odessa.
Andriy - BF Pomahaem
60 people live in Andriy’s shelter, including 20 kids
3 trips to Solone, Pavlohrad and Snihurivka distributing aid to 732 families.
Marina – Good Give Ukraine
Delivered help to the elderly in remote villages.
Provided help to refugee center in Pyatikhatki. From now on, the center will hold English classes and art classes for children every Saturday.
Dina - Vilni Liudy – Vilna Krayina
713 packages of aid distributed in Kanev, Krasnokutsk, Kremenchuk, Poltava, and Dnipro
100 packages of aid mailed to difficult-to-reach places
US Team
UTC volunteers attended a women's dinner organized by our friends and mighty supporters from the Community Church of Lake Forest & Lake Bluff in Illinois. We shared stories of our volunteers in Ukraine and were once again reminded of the incredible support we feel from our American neighbors.
How to Help
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