We Need to Organize a Winter Relief Campaign for Ukraine
With so much of their infrastructure in ruins, the ordinary people of Ukraine will face horrific suffering as winter hits and they have limited to no power, heating, clean water, shelter, etc.
Citizens of America can help, but we need an organized Winter Relief effort to coordinate the efforts. Is anyone doing this yet? Does anyone know of a centralized, non-governmental source that has set up the infrastructure to:
*Communicate with sources on the ground in Ukraine to identify the most acute needs and the places most in need
*Set up the receipt of cash donations, provide documentation, and communicate about prioritizing cash efforts
*Set up the receipt of non-cash donations, including depots to receive winter clothing, supplies, etc. on both small and large scales
*Solicit and train volunteers to sort and prep shipments for relief material and coordinate those activities
*Solicit contributions of logistical and transport assistance, and coordinate the Relief deliveries with other NGO and government aid
*Work with Ukrainian sources on the ground for "last leg" logistical coordination of transport and delivery
*Work with businesses to generate in-kind services to provide relief, logistics, transport, and support
*Work with community-based organizations to coordinate locally-based efforts from groups, churches, etc.
*Provide communications and public relations on digital and other media to track efforts, solicit for special needs, etc.
This is not a small undertaking. But even a few moments' thought about what the people of Ukraine will be facing in the months to come as they maintain their valiant defense of their homes should make the absolute necessity clear.
Think about a hospital or a local emergency clinic trying to help with limited generator power and much of their supply inventory buried in the rubble of a bombed-out building.
Think about parents trying to ensure children have warm clothing in their size, and sufficient food for cold-stressed bodies, in unheated apartments with only limited hours of power availability.
Think about schools trying to maintain some kind of learning and protection for students without supplies, heat, etc.
Think about local people trying to clean up the rubble of destroyed sites, create emergency shelters, triage the sick and wounded, evacuate the most vulnerable, without much in the way of tools, protective gear, etc.
Think about people in destroyed areas trying to stay in touch, locate the missing, and rebuild without wifi boosters, generators, and communications necessities.
We have to do this. If anyone here on DU is aware of some organization or group working to make this happen, can we link up with them? Coordinate efforts here on DU to communicate, solicit for special needs, etc.? Maybe create a Group here on DU to promote and track Winter Relief efforts?
People of Ukraine are doing the heavy lifiting to build a better future, not just for themselves and their children, but for a WORLD that needs the inspiration of resistance to tyranny, and the power of community self-determination. The least we can do is help as best we can.
Slava Ukraini!
determinedly,
Bright
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