On February 24th, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. This unprovoked aggression displaced millions of Ukrainians, resulting in hundreds of thousands of human casualties and causing immeasurable economic and cultural devastation.

 

As the world watched this tragedy unfold, a group of individuals felt compelled to help. The Founders of Ukraine Friends,  who had long standing personal and business ties to Ukraine, decided to take action. In late February, they reached out to their contacts on the ground to inquire about the most pressing needs and how they could contribute. The response was clear - help get refugees out and medical aid in.  Leveraging their extensive experience in sourcing and logistics, they were able to quickly deliver thousands of first aid kits, saving countless lives.. Additionally, through a strategic partnership with Airbnb, they managed to assist over 30,000 refugees leave Ukraine, while providing shelter for more than 10,000 individuals.

 

As the conflict persisted, the humanitarian priorities shifted. The focus gradually transitioned from helping refugees escape danger to supporting those who chose to remain in their communities. During this phase, securing medical equipment to reduce the risk of fatalities became paramount, and the need for rapid medical care intensified. In response, the team added the procurement and delivery of ambulances to their mission, successfully delivering over 90 ambulances to Ukraine.