PROJECT-SUPPORT UKRAINE

Association «engagiert mit Herz», Grosswangen, Switzerland

Country / Location

Ukraine, City of Uzhhorod and surrounding area

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with more than 40 million inhabitants. With an area of over 600’000 square kilometers, it is the second-largest country in Europe. Ukraine borders Russia to the east and northeast, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the southwest. To the south, the country borders the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.The capital and largest city of the country is Kyiv.

Uzhhorod is located in the west of the country, at the tri-border area between Hungary, Slovakia, and Ukraine. The city has about 120’000 inhabitants and is the capital of the Zakarpattia Oblast region.

General

The association “engagiert mit Herz” (wholeheartedly engaged) is a small group of helpful and motivated people who want to make the world a little better. They drive rented vehicles to Ukraine’s western border, and bring essential supplies to the war-torn country. Thanks to direct contacts, they know what is urgently needed.

In the beginning, in March 2022, it was Antonia, Severin, and Rita who, together with some friends, brought materials to Ukraine and enabled refugees to safely travel to Switzerland. Gradually, the team grew, and in January 2024, the association was founded in Switzerland.

Beneficiaries

In February 2014, a conflict broke out between Russia and Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea by Russia, which continues to be occupied to this day. Since February 2022, the entire population of Ukraine has been suffering from the hostilities. According to the UNHCR (February 2024), about 6.5 million people from Ukraine have fled abroad.

A further four million are displaced within the country. The association “engagiert mit Herz” supports these people and provides hope for the affected and those in need through concrete aid campaigns.  Since spring 2022, they have already made 17 trips with relief supplies.

The members of the association drive the products to Ukraine’s borders with Hungary and Slovakia. There, the goods are transferred and picked up by local partners, four priests as well as their team from the city of Uzhhorod. The Ukrainian team brings the goods across the border and distributes them within the country. The partners regularly document with reports and photos where they deliver the materials brought. This ensures that the goods reach where they are most needed.

Project-support

Project: Relief supplies year 2024

Besides preparing and collecting the materials and organising the entire relief operation, each trip to the border of Ukraine involves eight to nine drivers and four vehicles. Before the actual trip can begin, the vehicles must be brought to Grosswangen and loaded. On the trip in February 2024, over four tons of goods were delivered.

In 2024, seven trips with various products are planned. Donations in kind are just as welcome as financial support.

Food: Rice, pasta, polenta, instant mashed potatoes, chocolate, protein bars, rice cakes, rusks, coffee, tea

Baby utensils: bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wet wipes, wound cream

Hygiene Items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, tampons, cotton pads, wet wipes, tissues

Tools: Shovels, brooms, work gloves, pliers, screwdrivers, open-end wrenches, hammers, axes, saws, drills, jigsaws, cut-off wheels, cordless drills, grinders, chainsaws

Miscellaneous: Power banks, LED flashlights with batteries, generators, laptops, tablets, Camp beds, sleeping mats, wool blankets, comforters with covers, sleeping bags

Medicines and Medical Equipment: First aid kits, cold remedies, wound disinfectants, bandages, compresses medical instruments, sterilisation equipment, wheelchairs, crutches, Blood pressure and heart rate monitors, defibrillators, ventilators

Complete list of urgently needed supplies: https://www.engagiert-mit-herz.ch/hilf-mit/