Each month, we deliver 300-600 bags with food and washing products to those in Ukraine who really need aid in the Kherson and Kharkiv regions. First, support villages 0-30 km from the front line. That's one of the most horrific places on Earth. Secondly, we bring aid to de-occupied villages. There, many homes, schools and hospitals have been shattered. Thirdly, we support 186 orphans in Kharkiv Oblast.
How do we spend your money? See full video updates at the bottom of the page.
Ukraine's frontline villages have been hit the hardest. 40% houses are damaged or destroyed by daily shelling. People live in extreme poverty, and very many struggle to get basic food. They simply have no money to escape to safer parts of Ukraine, let alone fly to the UK.
People barely get any help. Big charities don't go to the frontline areas, because it's too dangerous: land mines and daily shelling by the Russians.
When Ukraine army liberates parts of its territory, it's a post-apocalyptic world. Most homes have holes in the walls and roofs, shops, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure is ruined. People who live in these areas are in extreme poverty. Those who could find job, left long time ago. Why remains? Older people, and those with disabilities: those who nobody cares about. The state pension is about £60 per month. It's not enough.
We buy food in Ukraine to support the local economy. Why? There are three very good reasons:
1) Ukraine produces a lot of food, and it's roughly 60-70% cheaper than in the UK. Ukraine is the bread basket of Europe. In the time of war, there is a strong moral case to support local businesses, retain jobs, fight poverty.
2) We buy food that Ukrainians know and like. It does not make much sense to bring typical British food such as Heinz beans or curry rice (which people in the UK often donate). Ukrainians like bulgur, which costs £0.25 / kg in Ukraine, and £2.15 in Asda. They like semolina, which costs £0.40 /kg in Ukraine vs £1.67 in Asda and £3.00 in Tesco. Ukraine-made pasta costs £0.49 / kg. In Lidl UK, the cheapers pasta is £1.5 / kg.
3) Logistical companies profit from humanitarian aid. It costs £6,000 - £8,000 to send a 20-tonner lorry to Ukraine. For this money we can feed 600 families! We want your money to help people, rather than enrich those who profit from other people's tragedy.
We prepare 7.5 kg bags, enough to support a family for a couple of weeks. Each bag costs £6.83.
Here's what we include in each bag:
Pasta 2 x 1 kg
Semolina: 1 kg
Bulgur: 1kg
Tomato concentrate: 1 stick
Toilet paper: 1 roll
Plain flour: 1 kg
Tea, 20 tea bags
Sugar: 1 kg
Washing powder: 1 pack (400 g)
Soap: 1 bar
Toothpaste: 1 tube
Tinned beef: 1 tin (525 g)
We have learned that sending free food from the UK isn't the answer. On the one hand, food is cheaper in Ukraine. On the other hand, free imported food hurts Ukrainian producers.
We publish photos and videos for all food deliveries, and our invoices. Please see our detailed photo and video reports on our website: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/
Please donate as much as you can. Each £6.83 will buy a bag of high-quality food and washing supplies. Together with the cost of fuel, renting vans to deliver aid, and small compensation to support our Ukrainian helpers, our cost is £10 for each delivery.
Since we buy in Ukraine, our cost is cheaper than other British charities that charge as much as £20-25 per food bag.
Our British team doesn't take any salary. We use all the money to help Ukraine.
Thank you, and God bless Ukraine and its people!
Here's a video of our humanitarian work in Ukraine. You can see everything for yourself.
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
