It was a very sobering presentation that Ron Mark made to our South Wairarapa Rotary meeting recently. Ron has recently returned to New Zealand after a humanitarian aid trip to some of the most war-ravaged regions of Ukraine. Ron began his presentation with a recorded segment from an interview between himself and Jodi Ihaka (Māori Television) about what has been happening in the Ukraine.
While Ukraine has virtually dropped off the horizon of mainstream media reporting in New Zealand, it was a disturbing and provocative televised expose of what is taking place in this modern and independent country since Russia made the hostile decision to invade.
The evidence shows that it is not just military targets that the Russians are targeting – it is also civilian homes; apartment blocks; shopping centres and other premises where civilians would be. Ron’s reason for his trip was to assist with the logistics and distribution of humanitarian aid. He outlined how he assisted with loading up trucks, vans and other vehicles with supplies – medical, food, water, hygiene items, bedding and clothing together with other items required for the preservation of life for those who have lost virtually everything.
Petrol is in short supply so wherever and whenever the aid convoy came across petrol stations with supplies, there were long queues sometimes stretching for miles. When the vehicles were recognised as aid transporters, they were immediately waved to the front of the queues and some citizens even gave their own petrol vouchers, as thanks for the work they were doing.
This article is far too short to begin to provide the detail that Ron’s presentation and photographs provided to our club members. Needless to say, these images and details were often harrowing and disturbing. The Ukranian people, who in many ways are just like us, need and deserve our support. Ron has an ambitious target of raising five million dollars, with which he would be able to purchase items to help keep the volunteers and humanitarian workers safe – body armour and satellite phones, together with supporting communities with generators, hospital beds; cooking utensils and food boxes.
With winter coming to Ukraine it is important that items we take for granted, heaters, blankets and puffer jackets, be supplied to those whose ruined houses are still being lived in but have no walls to protect them from the elements. He said that logistically it is easier to purchase and distribute supplies from Europe into Ukraine, than from New Zealand, so money is vital to be able to do this.
For more information, below are some links with information about Ron’s trip, including ways to donate – Donations: Account Name: Ukraine & GCS Account Number: 01-1158-0060761-00
Facebook/Information: https://www.facebook.com/RonMarkFormerMinDefMin4Vets
