A FROME resident has been volunteering in Ukraine to help deliver humanitarian aid to refugees.
Weeks after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, local man Jamie Brake decided to take annual leave from his job and fly to Ukraine to help. He arrived in early March and has told Frome Times that he plans to stay until at least May.
Working with different non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Jamie has been helping where he can – supplying the Ukraine military and Ukrainians with water filtration systems, to help provide safe drinking water; and supporting refugees escaping the war to access supplies and shelter.
Jamie spoke to Frome Times last week during a visit to the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, where he and his team met with assistants and advisors to the city’s mayor and advisors to the military of Dnipro, to deliver two water filtration systems that will be taken to the frontline in the east of Ukraine, to help the military and locals in the hardest hit areas.
“The experience so far has been very rewarding,” said Jamie. “The people of Ukraine have been most welcoming. This evening (6th April) we have been welcomed into a family home for the night for example. The Ukrainians are amazed we have left the safety of our countries to help.
“There have been very difficult times also, we have witnessed the passing of very young babies due to being stuck out on cold refugee lines, children as young as 5/6 years old left alone at borders unable to contact anyone. It can be extremely difficult at times.
“Helping the refugees first-hand has been an experience I will never forget. They are so grateful for the help they are getting, from something as simple as a cup of tea on a cold night, to blankets and a warm area to sleep in.”
Whilst in Ukraine, Jamie has helped to create a network of contacts across Ukraine, from van drivers, to mayors of cities and military coordinators. And working together under the name of Global Citizens of Ukraine, Jamie and his contacts are establishing supply routes to the frontline.
Jamie and the team of independently self-funded volunteers are appealing for donations to help support their ongoing work to deliver humanitarian aid.
“The money will be used to purchase aid for locals, anything from food and clothing to transport costs for those who want to leave the area,” explained Jamie. “Some of the money will also help us move around Ukraine – we have purchased a vehicle from Poland to help us do this.
“We are self-funded, so we also need help ourselves to help people in need, but on the whole, money raised will be for frontline people lost and in need. We also have a great relationship with Air Mobile Ministries, so far they have donated three water filtration units. These retail at $3,900 each. These are vital to our mission, they can produce 100 litres of safe water per hour from virtually any water source.
“For example, today (6th April) we were in Dnipro donating two units to the mayor, where we demonstrated the machines using water from the Dnipro river. Our aim is to raise money to help pay for these units to be able to deploy them in areas struggling with sourcing fresh water.”
To follow the work of Jamie and the Global Citizens of Ukraine, follow their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GlobalCitizensforUkraine
And to make a donation to support their efforts, visit the website: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamie-brake-1
