Intense conflict in Ukraine is threatening the lives and livelihoods of civilians across the country, causing hundreds of thousands to flee. Homes have been destroyed or are unsafe to live in. Essential services have been hit. Families have been separated. People have been injured. Lives have been lost.

For a number of years AIM have employed team members in Ukraine, they are as much part of our work-family as our colleagues who sit next to us in Sheffield, UK or Philadelphia, USA. They help us to serve our members with an exceptional level of technical expertise and unquestionable work-ethic and we're deeply saddened to witness their personal experiences over the past few weeks.

Nikki Stella, CEO: 

"Watching the horror and destruction that has occurred in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion began has been heart-wrenching for us all. Like so many companies in the industry, the AIM Smarter family has also been impacted by the recent attacks. Having universities in both Kyiv and Kharkiv, the Ukraine has been an international hub for developing leading technology talent.

For nearly a decade, we have had a team of developers based in Kharkiv, we have spent time in their offices, built great working relationships with the teams and ultimately built friendships and care for our group of developers. 

Their nation and their homes have been devastated by the war that has erupted. They have been separated from their families, forced to flee from their homes and to find refuge from unrelenting attacks. Sadly, there is no end in sight and they need our assistance.

I have seen many requests from our internal teams, and our AIM community asking how to help. I am pleased to share the link to our fundraising effort to support the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal to provide funds to support the needs for shelter, food and water.

Additionally, AIM Smarter will be matching every dollar or pound sterling donated – for every $10/£10 donated, we will match with $5/£5 with up to $6500/£5000. Please join me in supporting our community, colleagues, friends and family in the Ukraine."

Steven Hewitt, our Software Development Manager who leads and is in direct daily contact with our team in the Ukraine adds:

"We have colleagues in Ukraine, friends of ours, that we have worked with daily for years, that have had their city of Kharkiv turned into an active warzone.

They are currently all physically well, but they have had their lives turned upside down and their city and country are being wrecked.

Curfews, air raid sirens, daily random missile/rocket/shelling/gunfire attacks on the city and internet outages, are part of life now.

Some have moved further away from the city but that is not possible for all, and no adult males are allowed to leave the country.

Their bravery and defiance is amazing but this must be terrifying."

Gareth Taylor, our Software General Manager also comments, 

"I have to say I find it difficult to put this into words but basically the situation we find ourselves in is everyday checking in to make sure our colleagues are still alive in its very basic form. 

In the wider context of the war I have the upmost respect for the bravery of the Ukrainian people for standing up for what they and we believe in. Personally knowing Slava, Vlad, Anton, and Andrew with regards to the work they have done, commitment shown, and general work ethic it comes as no surprise to me what the Ukrainian Army and General population are going to defend their country.  In their words ‘We will never give up’. "

Despite all of this (and more), our Ukrainian team members continue to find time to work wherever and whenever possible, a fact that is far from expected and downright difficult to comprehend with so much devastation going on around them, but this is the nature of the Ukrainian people, our work-family and friends. 

We are in awe of them. 

DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border in the neighbouring countries. They are working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care.

$40/£30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month

$70/£50 could provide blankets for 4 families to keep them warm

$130/£100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month