Medical supplies to be sent to Ukraine

Hi friends -

 

The war in Ukraine concerns everyone. The past few days taught us the horrific consequences of authoritarian regimes with big military arsenals. But we also have learned how quickly and effectively the international community - we, people all over the world, can get together to help. It’s been mind-blowing to see millions of people contributing to humanitarian aid for Ukrainians, supporting independent media in Russia and signing petitions to stop the war.

 

But as Russia continues to fire rockets daily more and more medical supplies are needed urgently. That is why we launched this campaign.

 

With your support we hope we can find solutions to two problems:

1. A lot of medical supplies are currently bought in and shipped from suppliers in Poland, but the stock is very low now. So we need to purchase and ship items from other countries.

2. If collect enough money to buy in bulk, we will buy in bulk. Which means we can save money and buy more supplies. We are reaching out to suppliers and some distributors in different countries for that.

 

Who are we?

We are two Belarusians who have been working with social justice and human rights campaigns in Eastern Europe for over 10 years now. Mitya Savelau is a former head of Change.org in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and an actor. Anna Savchenko is a filmmaker and a campaigner.

 

What will the money be spent on exactly?

We are in touch with a number of organizations to ensure we continue to receive the latest lists on what medical supplies are needed exactly. At the moment the list includes things like: different bandages, thermal and rescue blankets, nasopharyngeal airways, wound treatment supplies, first aid kits, medical soft stretchers, splits and many more. We will NOT be using the funds to purchase any military equipment.

 

How will we get it to the medics over the border?

For that we have partnered up with the Belarusian Youth Hub in Warsaw. Since the beginning of the war, they have been transporting, supporting and resettling Ukrainian refugees coming to the Polish border as well as sending humanitarian aid back to Ukrainians over the border. They currently supply buses which will be used to send the purchased supplies to medics on the Ukrainian side.

 

Thank you for your support. Particularly, from the Belarusian community.

 

Despite the fact that Lukashenko’s government is de-facto occupying Belarus and hosting Russian troops, there are millions of us, Belarusians, who oppose the war and are trying to do everything they can to help. We have friends, relatives and colleagues who managed to escape, but also those who couldn’t, who are still stuck in basements of their buildings in various Ukrainian cities or elsewhere unable to leave.

 

Thank you very much for all your help!

 

Mitya Savelau and Anna Savchenko

(Photo: Emilio Morenatti)