This year, the Frisian Riders from Haulerwijk want to help thousands of Ukrainians get through the winter with the ‘War Winter’ campaign. The aim of the campaign is to send 24 trucks with a total of 24,000 banana boxes full of relief goods in that direction. The aid should reach around 200,000 Ukrainians who are suffering from the consequences of the long war.
The action started this week with the launch of a large-scale campaign. In total, almost 3,000 promotional packages were sent to municipalities, hospitals, healthcare institutions, churches and schools in the Netherlands. The packages contain flyers, posters and a call for donations. According to Arnaud Dijkstra, from the Friese Rijders, the goal is to actively involve the residents of Drenthe in this humanitarian aid campaign. “We not only want to reach governments and companies, but also the residents of Drenthe, so that they take the step to help,” says Dijkstra.
The campaign focuses not only on collecting items, but also on receiving financial donations. The ultimate goal is to raise 840,000 euros, which is necessary to purchase the necessary items and cover transport to the war country.
The Frisian Riders are looking for a wide range of relief goods. Donations of food, medical supplies, hygiene products, generators and other supplies are desperately needed. Especially for the residents of Ukraine who are hardest hit by rising inflation and energy prices.
Dijkstra explains: “People at the bottom of society are hit the hardest. Rising food prices make it impossible for many to survive.” In addition to food, medical products such as incontinence materials and first aid kits are also welcome. Even expired first-aid kits can be of great value on Ukraine’s front lines.
In Drenthe, items can be brought to collection points in Nieuw-Roden and Nieuweroord. “Something has already been brought in, mainly clothing and some medical aids. But there is still room for more, bring as much as you want and can. In principle, we have enough clothing, but we don’t say no to it when people bring it. “, says Roelof Bruinenberg from the collection point in Nieuweroord.
The campaign is not only aimed at organizations and governments, but also at the residents of Drenthe. Schools, churches, companies and healthcare institutions are encouraged to take action and start their own collection campaigns. In the Frisian Waskemeer, for example, a secondary school organized a sponsored run to raise money for the campaign.
Dijkstra hopes that this is an example for other communities in the region. “If everyone contributes a little, we can really make a difference.”
The relief supplies collected will eventually be taken to the front lines of Ukraine. The situation there is dangerous, with many areas no longer accessible in a safe manner.
Dijkstra says that it is important that the trucks are taken to safe locations in Ukraine. “Our drivers take the goods to safe unloading addresses, from where they are transported further into the country by our partner organizations. The safety of the drivers is of course always a concern, but we have previously helped in risk areas such as Odessa, where there were many bombings.”
With the support of the residents of Drenthe, the organization hopes to make a huge impact. “We count on the involvement of as many people as possible. This is a joint effort that can save lives,” Dijkstra concludes.