Here’s how you can support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine from right here in Huntsville
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It’s easy to feel helpless when tragedy strikes abroad, but Ukrainian and Huntsville resident Yaryna Zhurba wants to spread the word that you can help provide much-needed aid to refugees from right here in Huntsville.
Zhurba traveled to Bucharest, Romania, early this week to help coordinate aid in and out of Ukraine. Here’s what she had to share:
Aid to Ukraine
Zhurba, who grew up in Ukraine, first came to the U.S. in 2013 through the Open World Program and Global Ties Alabama. She moved to Huntsville permanently in 2017 and now works part-time at the University of Alabama in Huntsville while she is completing her MBA.
Now, she is in Romania working to coordinate the flow of aid from Romania to Ukraine. She said that the main issue they’re dealing with is red tape, which is why most aid has been traveling through Poland instead.
“Every person can help, even from overseas.”
Yaryna Zhurba
Specifically, Zhurba’s group is in need of the following supplies:
- biscuits + cookies
- cereal
- chocolate bars + candies
- first aid kits
- protein-rich canned food
- rice
- snack packs of nuts, breadsticks, dried fruits, etc.
- spaghetti
- travel hygiene kits
Instead of purchasing these items in the U.S. and dealing with overseas shipping costs, Zhurba suggested buying online from a Romanian supplier and having the items shipped to the following address in Siret, Romania, just four miles from the Ukraine border:
HELP UKRAINE ROMANIA
Strada Basarabiei nr 9
Siret Suceava
725500
Siret Warehouse 8-20
+40759850620
Help from individuals and businesses alike is welcome.
“We are actively looking for any business, organization or individual who can sponsor buying pallets or truck volume of any aid listed remotely in Romania. We will pick it up and bring it to Glyboka.”
Yaryna Zhurba
Glyboka is a region of Ukraine just north of the Romania-Ukraine border. There, Zhurba and other volunteers have found large warehouses capable of receiving and distributing aid and supplies directly from Romania.
Local businesses + orgs
Innerspace Brewing‘s “Give Them Help / Give Them Hell” campaign gives $1 from every pint and $2 from every flight to either bandages or bullets—your choice. The special is available on weekdays from 4PM-6PM, Saturdays 12PM-2PM and Sundays 1PM-3PM.
Neon Lilly Eurasian American Cuisine serves international cuisine inspired by Poland, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. The owner of the restaurant, Liliya Taylor is from Kazakhstan but attended college in Ukraine and has friends and family in the country.
The following local churches are also organizing aid:
Another suggestion? Rent an Airbnb in Ukraine to provide financial support.
Zhurba also suggested participating in the pro-Ukraine marches organized by Ukrainians of North Alabama on Facebook.
Stay updated
Find more information about how to support the Ukrainian community in Huntsville and abroad through the following Facebook groups and pages:
“Each small effort can be crucial. Don’t feel helpless, because you can help.”
Yaryna Zhurba
Know of other local organizations + businesses providing support for Ukraine? Please share them with us by sending us a message on Facebook or Instagram.
