Record vital aid deliveries as winter and war hit Ukraine
8th Nov, 2024
“It’s been our busiest period ever!” says John Allison, New Forest for Ukraine Lead speaking in October.
“We usually send out one 52 pallet truck every three weeks, but last month we sent three trucks, stuffed full of essential supplies. This month might even exceed that. It has been a huge uplift.”
The need was never greater. The Russian offensive hasn’t made the breakthrough Putin expected, but it grinds on relentlessly. Every day fresh communities are forced from their homes.
Some 6 million Ukrainians have sought shelter abroad, but anther 3.7 million are internally displaced, within Ukraine.
And now winter has arrived. “The need for warm winter clothing has zoomed off the scale,” says John. “But the people and communities of New Forest have truly delivered! Many had been storing clothing at home, so when we reached out, it came flooding in.”
Preparations for Christmas are almost complete. There is a frantic wrapping of presents. All suited to the needs of refugees in Poland or the displaced inside Ukraine.
“They are specially chosen for children, teens and serving mums and dads. Most will be going out next week.”
The huge lorries, driven by Polish drivers, from the Fareham firm Logiscom, taken them over to Europe and on to Poland where they are delivered to the many aid organisations partnering with New Forest for Ukraine. Wagner does not speak English, but even he commented ‘This is good!’
Meanwhile, the NFFU Events team led by Mandy is hard at work, arranging to be at every Christmas fair she can reach, making fresh contacts and getting new sources of donations.