Ben Stott continues to send updates from his dynamic volunteer work in Poland and across the border into Ukraine, where he and many others offer much needed aid to those seeking refuge from Russian bombardment and displacement. In addition to Ben, a woman named Magda from Hope International in Poland also sent updates and short videos to show glimpses into life on the ground.
As a caption to the image at left, Ben reports:
“Loading our van in Warsaw with warm clothes to go Kharkiv. The guy in this picture is the missing link I’ve been looking for- a logistics specialist who receives aid from the west in big warehouses and then arranges shipments all over Ukraine using the many volunteers with vans. He does so much good and needs financial backing!”
The warehouse used to collect supplies displays flags of countries whose citizenry have donated humanitarian supplies to those in Ukraine facing immanent danger and in need of assistance.
The School in Zaporizhia
Ben reported that once they arrived to their destination, in Zaporizhia at a school, they delivered the supplies from the warehouse.
“This is the school where children do not learn. They stay in the basement for safety,” said Magda, a volunteer from Hope International in Poland described through a message that reached Peace House.
“The whole area of the school and kindergarten is a kind of transit center for refugees from the occupied territories,” Magda said, “this is a place for people who need to escape.”
Magda sent the videos below that offer an authentic glimpse into the all-volunteer humanitarian operations that are working to supply at least the very most basic supplies to people fleeing occupied regions of Ukraine. Ben can be seen unloading supplies and delivering it into the school.
“It was a very important transport because due to increased bombing more and more people have to sleep in this shelter,” Magda reported. “They didn’t even have mattresses.”
Magda continued to explain the circumstances of those who sleep in the congregant shelter.
“People who come there have nothing. The journey on the road from the territories occupied by Russia can last over 14 days though the distance is only 200 km (125 miles),” Magda continued.
“They are without food, medicine or even water to drink normally.”
