A month from the start of the war in Ukraine, MAD-Aid’s founder, Victoria Dunford, has been summing up progress of the Isle of Wight’s aid efforts that have been transported via MAD-Aid.
Supporting refugees means targeting aid to where it is needed, both in Ukraine itself, and in Moldova.
Moldova received more than 380,000 refugees
UNHCR statistics from 26th March estimated that Moldova had received more than 380,000 refugees (Source 2022 Ukrainian refugee crisis – Wikipedia).
The Moldovan Government estimated that 48,000 children were in Moldova as of the same date. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, and per capita, is welcoming the largest proportion of refugees.
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Dunford: Heartbreaking situation
Victoria says,
“Behind every-single statistic is a son, a daughter, a lost and worried mother, extremely upset grandparents.
“They packed their life in a few bags, maybe a suitcase. It’s heart breaking to take photos of aid distribution while trying to respect and preserve people’s dignity.”
The first month
In Victoria’s own words, this is how the first month developed,
“I woke up, like everyone in Moldova on 24th February 2022, to the echo of huge explosions. I decided on the same day to come back to the UK; I considered that I would be more useful from here.
“By the time I got off the plane in the UK, we already knew that we would offer 30 places to stay in our Phoenix Complex, and in my head, I had calculated the increased upkeep costs, who could help us with the funds, and how much it costs to feed a person for a day. Even before we got home, we already had donations promised.”
Victoria went on to add,
“I started counting: 25 arrivals. Then 44 and growing. Phoenix was filled with the smiles of innocent children who had no idea that they have become the children of war. People were pouring in.
“My co-workers had begun to forget about Saturday and Sunday or 9-5. At home on my Island, I was greeted by a surprise – the whole community had mobilized to help the Ukrainian population, and extremely quickly they realized that they needed MAD-Aid to handle the logistics. We have united our efforts and for a month we have accomplished so much.”
Nine trucks loaded
One month on, Victoria explains,
“As of 25th March, nine trucks have been loaded – aid worth more than £400,000 – a huge responsibility. Three loads have already been distributed throughout Moldova, to Stefan Voda, in the south, to Briceni, in the north, and in between, to Otaci and Ukraine. The rest is yet to be distributed or still on the way.
“Yes, it was a month full of everything – tiredness, powerlessness, satisfaction when we managed to get aid to Ukraine legally and correctly.”
Dunford: We can’t anticipate, but we can get involved today and now
She adds,
“There was inspiration, encouragement, and support – support from people from whom you least expect it. There was harsh criticism from others, judgement without logic. There was satisfaction that you have transferred aid professionally for ten years and now you are starting to use that expertise for different outcomes.
“I salute and thank those who support MAD-Aid and put your confidence in us. It was a month that marked us all, a month that could be the beginning of an end, but could also be a beginning with an extremely distant end!
“We can’t anticipate, but we can get involved today and now! Tomorrow we could be in need.”
Snapshot of just one day
Victoria also shared a snapshot of just one day. She said,
“At one in the morning, the driver of truck three called from Dover: the export of humanitarian aid has been simplified and there was just one export document instead of the usual two. He was worried that one was missing!
“At 6.30am (8.30am in Moldova) the driver of the second truck called me. He has already arrived at the border terminal in Balti, in Moldova!
“At nine, I hear from the drivers of the two vehicles sitting at the customs at Otaci, on the Moldova-Ukraine border to send the documents for the transfer of the aid to Vinnytsia.
“At ten, truck number four arrives on the Island to load. This is the joy of logistics.”
£35,000 fundraising target
Each articulated lorry of donated items cost £3,500 to transport to Moldova and surrounding countries.
Dedicated fundraising to pay the transport of aid by MAD-Aid has been set up and over £22,000 has already been raised.
If you are able to support the efforts you can do so by visiting the Just Giving Page.
News shared by Ann on behalf of MAD-Aid. Ed
