Ukrainians feel 'very much alone' say organisers of Irish aid convoy

David Clarkin, Eddie Byrne, Greg Lawless, and Stephen Byrne with What About Us aid for Ukraine.

Ukrainians feel “very much alone”, aid convoy organisers have warned, as donated medical equipment and toys worth about €500,000 left Ireland for the war-torn country.

Jeeps carrying the aid will also be donated for taking injured soldiers from the frontlines to hospitals. An ambulance will go to a maternity hospital.

The incredible generosity of individual donors and businesses made this possible, the convoy co-organiser said.

Stephen Byrne, from the non-profit 'What About Us' music organisation, is on his third trip with humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the last year.

“When we go into Ukraine, you see very few young men on the streets. You are going to see mostly women, older people, children,” he said, with most men already in the army.

When you talk to the ordinary people, they get very emotional about people coming into their country to help because they feel very much alone.

“They are fighting the fight against Russia, their boys are being sacrificed to protect their homeland. I don’t think people in Ireland, in the West, really understand the actual pain and suffering they are enduring on our behalf.” 

The 4x4s, for example, last on average 90 days before damage from pockmarked roads makes them unusable or they are destroyed in attacks, he added.

He praised the generous support given to Ukrainian refuges but called for more aid on the ground.

In all, 23 drivers with seven 4x4s, an ambulance, a truck, and a minibus travel to Lviv. Each donated vehicle is packed with medical supports and other aid.

Part of the What About Us aid convoy to Ukraine Pic: Supplied

“The first convoy, we did a year ago, and that was three 4x4s full of medical supplies. This year we’ve seven 4x4s, plus an ambulance, a truck and a minibus,” he said.

“I’d say we have over €500,000 of donated medical supplies and other donations; it’s incredible generosity from the Irish people really.” 

Donors such as hospitals and homecare and pharmaceutical companies helped, as well as individuals.

Finola Harrington co-ordinated and collected medical supplies before the convoy left Greystones, Co Wicklow, on Friday.

“She travelled around the country, picking up a boot here and a wheelchair there,” said Mr Byrne.

They also received support from Axa Insurance as arranging travel insurance into Ukraine was complex.

Financial donations

“When you go and ask business people, they are there to help,” he said, saying some gave financial donations while others gave products.

The truck filled with veterinary supplies and animal food goes to Ukrainian charity Breaking the Chains. They rescue animals, with some then supporting injured soldiers in rehabilitation.

The minibus is earmarked for an orphanage supported by Irish charity Effective Aid Ukraine. The 80 residents all have disabilities and some are as young as five. It is carrying clothes, food, hygiene products, toys, and tools.

Mr Byrne said they plan to cross the border on October 1 after the long drive.

He worked for some decades in the tech start-up sector. In recent years, through What About Us music, he has worked with musicians on peace projects, including bringing Israeli and Palestinian musicians together to compose more than 300 pieces of music.