An update on our activities supporting Ukraine.

The next convoy is on its way.  In other news those we supported in Kosovo are now supporting the people of Ukraine. 

The next load to Slovakia

On the 2nd April we set off again taking the next convoy of aid to Slovakia. 

This time there are 3 trucks, 2 smaller 7.5 tonne trucks, Robin Hood, driven by Chas and Bev Storer, Frantic, driven by Steve Huggins and NIck Vanderkolk and the big rig, a 40 tonne artic with Brian Braithwaite and Nina Perrott at the helm.  For this convoy the artic has been co sponsored by TT2 (Tyne Tunnels) and Andy Scoble from United Help Ukraine via Aid Box Community based in Bristol.

Getting out of the country was fun as always, but there were challenges at a lot of ports and airports on Saturday so it all took longer than anyone wanted.  The P&O issues of course didn't help but we managed to get free passage on Eurotunnel who were offering free passage to humanitarian aid vehicles.

The trucks got to Jabekke last night and will be in Germany somewhere tonight! The aid includes - hygiene and sanitary items (including nappies, incontinence pads, toothpaste, shower gel , dental products, hand wash and dry shower), food - dry and  tinned, solar chargers, sleeping bags, disinfection machines (Foggers used for spraying underground bunkers where people are seeking refuge in Ukraine to avoid disease etc) and disinfectant, a total of 23 tonnes of aid.

The final destination is Uzhhorod, a city just over the Slovakia border in Western Ukraine with an estimated arrival of Tuesday PM. The aid will be taken directly from us on the border into Ukraine and immediately distributed into areas most affected by the war to those in need.

As the convoy progresses we will provide you with more details of the aid drop.

In other Ukraine related news, last week we received a call from MTS, the partner agency that we have worked with for many years in Kosovo.  Of all people in Europe the Kosovan people understand the problems of war.  The government is supporting various NGO's to move aid into Ukraine.  MTS contacted us to get advice on how to move this aid and who to work with. 

It is heartening to see that people who themselves were at one point on their knees, are now able to help others that are in this situation after getting themselves back on their feet.  We can be proud that we were part of that solution and it proves that the long term aid policy that we adopt is one part of many intertwined policies that have worked for the Kosovan people.  

The warehouse

Of course none of this aid gets itself onto our trucks.

Our amazing volunteers having been working flat out to get many tonnes of aid ready for our this convoy.  Bev, Nigel, Ben, Neil, Senga, Michael, Linda, Graham, Jay, Sarah, Carole, Den, may thanks for all you have done. 

In addition a huge thanks to Ingatestone Rotary for all your help.

We have also arranged two artics which are en route using back-loaded Polish trucks to our partner's warehouse destination inside Ukraine. Travelling via Poland, they will be entering Ukraine and travelling south. These are carrying 11 x 1,000 litre water tanks  with 11 towable trailers , 16 x 2,500 litre water tanks and were specifically requested a couple of weeks ago by our partner Robby who is based in Ukraine and Slovakia. 

More large water tanks are being transported out this week via LNER on a container train which will also be heading to Poland at the request of the Polish Government.  We have two containers on the train and the load is being paid for by LNER.  

Events and fundraising

There has been loads going on.  Many thanks to everyone who has organised an event and also thanks to all of you who supported any of these events.  Just to mention a few of the things that have happened over the past few weeks. 

On the 27th March Poets for Ukraine put on a Poem-a-thon with special guests Bill Paterson, Juliet Stevenson, Jessie Ware, Meera Syal, Sophie Ward and Nick Hytner.  The final numbers are not in yet but at the last count they managed to raise in excess of £12000 for Hope and Aid Direct 

Pupils at Bryanston School in Blandford have raised more than £55,000 to for two charities and a special humanitarian mission for Ukraine. Again final totals are not in yet.  The students at the Dorset school fundraised the staggering amount through a charity weekend featuring sponsored personal challenges, a concert by bands and musicians, a lunch for friends and family, a fashion show, a dog show and a special dinner for pupils to raise money for Dorset wellbeing organisation Willdoes and international education charity United World Schools.

Last week there was an online fashion auction organised by Elinor Weedon. Currently, including gift aid, it has raised close on £2000.  

Last but not least is Phil Downey, who walked for 3 hours on crutches a month after his second hip operation, he has raised in excess of £3000.

Once again, thanks to all of you and also all of the other people who have held events and fundraised for us.  We have now raised over £100,000 although as some of the money is yet to hit the bank we can't update the website to reflect this. 

Bernie Sullivan and the drop off points

Roughly this time last year Bernie approached the trustees to suggest that we set up drop off points (DOP's) around the country and had a map on the website to show where these points were.  We were initially a little reluctant to agree to this as we were thinking about the logistical issues that it may present, however those of you who know Bernie will know that he is not one to take no for an answer so after several rounds of 'negotiation' Bernie of course got his way and the process was set up. 

Are we ever grateful that we listened to him.  Without these DOP's, the collection of aid for Ukraine would be so much harder than it is right now.  It has been a great initiative and the result can be seen on the Drop Off Point page on the website.  Please take a look at the map and if you would be interested in helping and becoming a DOP, particularly but not only, if you live North of Manchester, in Wales, in the East of England or in the far South West contact Bernie by email for more details, his email is bernardsullivan2001@gmail.com 

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight a few other achievements of Bernie, both past and present. 

Bernie is one of Hope and Aid Direct's ardent supporters and he along with his wife Susie have been supporting us since the very early days of the charity in Kosovo. Bernie is a huge advocate for refugee rights and human rights in a broader sense. 

In Kosovo he saw how the UN moved many Roma families on to contaminated land and along with Paul Polansky took up the challenge to highlight this.  After many years of fighting the UN were forced to make an apology for this.  Not only does he work with Hope and Aid Direct but he is a supporter of the charity Safe Passage that works with child refugees and aims to open safe routes into the UK.  Over the past few years he has also been part of the team that worked for the release of Mohamedou Ould Slahi from Guantanemo Bay a story that was made into a film, 'The Mauritanian' featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jodi Foster.  Mohamedou has also written a book 'Guantanemo Diary' which details his time held without trial. Anyone who has not read the book or seen the film, i urge you to do so, it is a fascinating story, but one of forgiveness. 

I was lucky enough to meet Mohamedou a few weeks ago, an inspiring man.  I have also been lucky enough to meet Bernie on numerous occasions, another inspiring man!!   

And finally..... 

A little bit of news that is huge for refugees but not widely published. 

Suspension of funding to Frontex - "Fundamental rights are violated in Greece"

Greece is in a very difficult position after the decision of the European Budget Audit Committee.

The decision taken by the MEPs participating in the EU Budgetary Control Committee is not at all flattering for Greece. By a large majority of 23-6, the Commission decided to suspend the financing of Frontex in Greece and Hungary after serious violations of fundamental rights were found by institutions in terms of pushback cases in Greece.

"On Thursday (31/03), the Committee on Budgetary Control recommended the liquidation of most EU accounts. for 2020, but postponed the decision on the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

In a vote of 6 to 23, with 1 abstention, MEPs in the Committee on Budgetary Control postponed the decision on the accounts of the EU Border Control Service.

The alleged violations in Greece were not dealt with and the operations in Hungary continued despite the Court's ruling that the refugee return operations in Hungary in 2020 were incompatible with EU law. "

This decision seriously damages the credibility of the independent Report released by Greek National Transparency Authority.

Full details can be seen on the EU website

This shows that the EU is prepared to take a stand against human rights violations.  We must ensure that pushbacks in all countries and on all waters are lobbied against.  It is a breach of international law and not something that should be introduced into the UK as part of the Nationalities and Borders Bill.