In times of conflict and crisis, the need for humanitarian aid becomes paramount. At Be an Angel, we are dedicated to providing essential support and relief to those most affected by the ravages of war. Our operations span across some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones.
Humanitarian aid is about more than just immediate relief; it’s about restoring dignity, fostering resilience, and building a path towards recovery and stability. Our mission is to deliver life-saving assistance and long-term support to vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive the help they need to survive and thrive amidst adversity.
Through the power of your donations, we have been able to provide a tremendous amount of support to hospitals, refugee camps, and displaced persons. To date, by strength through unity, we have been able to provide over 4,923 tons of humanitarian aid for a total value of $62.69 million USD. Above is a breakdown of our aid divided by category, split between amount in tons and amount by market value.
We believe in delivering humanitarian aid that addresses the unique and intersecting challenges faced by people in warzones. By embracing the principles of intersectionality, our shipments are designed to recognize the interconnected nature of oppression and vulnerability experienced by individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups. Our aid packages are tailored to cater to various aspects of people’s lives, including access to clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, and psychosocial support, while taking into account specific needs based on gender, age, economic status, disability, race, ethnicity and other relevant factors. Through a holistic approach, we strive to empower and uplift the most vulnerable communities, ensuring that our aid reaches those who need it the most, fostering inclusivity, and making a meaningful difference amidst the difficulties of conflict.
Chain of Custody (COC) permanently captures data related to who handled the collection of medical supplies and how, what actions were performed, and the location and date of the actions from the start of procurement process through the distribution of the medical supplies and other humanitarian aid directly to the end users at the Ukrainian front lines. We also track data related to the impact of aid delivered.
The first step in the humanitarian aid distribution process is to identify current and immediate need for medical and relief supplies throughout the territories we cover. We focus on hot zones, front lines, and the areas in most dire situations. Inquiries are sent out to hundreds of hospitals, community and refugee centers, as well as to other various locations to compile a list of their needs. Based on their documented, verified, and official requests received, there is a prioritization process to ensure the decisions of where the aid is sent are fair, diversified, and that the appropriate priorities are given to the most critical locations.
The first step in the humanitarian aid distribution process is to identify current and immediate need for medical and relief supplies throughout the territories we cover. We focus on hot zones, front lines, and the areas in most dire situations. Inquiries are sent out to hundreds of hospitals, community and refugee centers, as well as to other various locations to compile a list of their needs. Based on their documented, verified, and official requests received, there is a prioritization process to ensure the decisions of where the aid is sent are fair, diversified, and that the appropriate priorities are given to the most critical locations.
Once outgoing shipments are carefully sorted, packed, and wrapped in plastic for extra waterproofing, they are loaded onto vans or trucks and transported directly to the end users. For certain locations and when appropriate, Nova Pochta (postal services) is used. About 400 parcels and two to three transports leave for the front lines every day.
The documentation process is conducted throughout all stages. Signatures, documents, photographic evidence and lists are compiled in the form of bills of lading, customs documents for import/export, inventory protocols and acceptance with the receiving parties. These are stamped and signed by distributors and recipients and stored safely and appropriately in accordance with the international and Ukrainian laws. Together with photographs/videos of the humanitarian aid arrival, storage, and delivery, these documents serve as proof of COC and distribution
The full-scale invasion has severely deteriorated the economy of Ukraine. Social support structures for families and job opportunities have fallen apart.
Widowed and single mothers suffer particularly from this hardship. Many schools have been closed or destroyed, and they are unable to leave their homes to provide for their children. When her partner dies, widowed mothers suddenly lose their source of income overnight, leaving them vulnerable while they grief for their loss. Unfortunately, in many instances, if the body of the husband is not found, they are classified as missing and the wife will not receive any death gratuity payments from the government, leaving the family to fend for themselves.
In response, Be an Angel and the women-led charity “Women’s Movement for the Future” have partnered to provide care packages for thousands of families around the country with basic necessities. Every month, they prepare anywhere between 3000 to 5000 care packages. Each package contains sanitary items, diapers, baby formula, food for a week or whatever else the family requests. We also regularly send medicine, children’s clothing and toys which are then also distributed to refugee camps in the local area. Currently, there is a waitlist of over 12,500 mothers waiting for their care package.
In response to the attacks on critical Ukrainian electrical power infrastructure, 1,715 generators totaling a market value of 2.4 million USD have been provided to Ukrainian hospitals, refugee centers, rescue and security operation centers, fire departments and relief stations. In total, over 8,017 kW of energy are being provided for life-critical infrastructure by powering lights, medical, and heating devices.
This project was initiated in August 2022 in anticipation of the energy crisis in the winter months. Friends of Be an Angel formed a coalition of 42 NGOs, charities and donors to work together to be able to obtain high-quality generators at wholesale prices. In late September, the critical infrastructures in Ukraine were attacked. Hospitals, refugee centers and homes lost power, heating and access to water overnight. This resulted in a dire need for non-grid energy sources such as generators, causing an insatiable influx in demand, shortages, and driving the prices of generators to unaffordable levels for Ukrainians who are already struggling in the deteriorating, war-torn economy.
In total, over 150 hospitals and clinics, 80 warming stations, 478 refugee centers, 231 community centers and religious institutions, 238 disadvantaged families with disabilities and medical needs requiring power, 15 orphanages and 34 schools were given generators to continue their life-sustaining operation. The remaining generators were distributed to frontline medics and rescue operations. An estimated total of 20,475 people have been directly helped within the first week of this project.
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