'Aid' lorries going to Ukraine...

[Blurp]

My Facebook timeline is suddenly full of requests from people who are filling lorries full of things to take to Ukraine - they're asking for donations of things like clothes, toiletries and food.

None of them seem to mention the name of a charity or any specifics - mostly it comes across as though some random bloke is just going to fill his lorry with stuff and drive it "to Ukraine".

At first I thought it was a great idea, but the more I read the more I'm questioning it. Not that I think the people doing it are dodgy or anything like that, more that I'm not sure how useful it would be.

Like, do they really need lorries turning up all over the place with random stuff inside? I've no doubt that much of the stuff would be useful, but how do they even start to sort through it and match it to people who need it? Where do they even go to drop it off - do they just pick a random road on the border and park there and give it out? I've seen a few people asking questions like this on the posts, but they tend to get ignored or shouted down.

As far as I'm aware, there are no issues with supply of goods to countries bordering Ukraine, so isn't it better to donate money to organisations already on the ground so that they can bulk buy what they need?

Again, I'm not knocking the people who organise these lorries or the people who donate to them; I'm just wondering how useful it really is.

A dad from school has organised ours. His mum is in a group which is co-ordinating the other end. I helped sort and there was a fair amount of useless stuff tbh, but enough really good warm clothes, clean sleeping bags and bedding and new toiletries/nappies/underwear etc to fill 2 vans. Some stuff was got rid of (recycling/landfill) including anything dirty or tatty and used toiletries and some is being donated to uk charity shops. This included nice but unsuitable clothing, toys, books etc. I don’t think the Russians will be driving to Poland and hijacking the van to sell tampons on the Russian black market so I’m not worried about that. I do worry that the million people crossing into Poland will be greeted by a pile of 10 million boys joggers aged 8-9 but I can totally see that people have a decent sleeping bag they don’t use, or that extra packet of nappies left over from potty training, or that jumper that they decided didn’t suit them but never got around to returning whereas they don’t necessarily have £10 to give.

But aren’t the Red Cross better placed to get essentials to where it’s needed? Stuff like that is not in short supply in Poland plus it’s cheaper sourcing it out there.

@Cablefable

Well yes a nice lesson in sharing but why should lessons for children here be more important than useful help that doesn't create more issues than it solves. Not everything is about us!

I agree. Any "lessons" should just be a by product of helping. This is not about us.

Many UK lorry drivers are very experienced at driving on the continent as of course are continental truck drivers who may have room to take back stuff or be contracted for a return load.

many of these collections are being organised by the polish communities here who know where warehouses, arenas and sports halls are being set up in Poland to receive people. I don’t think the Russians are going to nip over the border into Poland to check what they can nick from polish community centres

But aren’t the Red Cross better placed to get essentials to where it’s needed? Stuff like that is not in short supply in Poland plus it’s cheaper sourcing it out there

And of course there are many of us in the UK who will have spare cash to donate and will choose to do this because it saves rummaging around the house looking for stuff and washing it and driving to a collection centre. Much handier to donate online.

But the point is some people don’t have spare cash to donate but have spare stuff and this is another way of getting aid to people. It also means the cash donations can be spent on other stuff like medicines.

But the point is some people don’t have spare cash to donate but have spare stuff and this is another way of getting aid to people.

Best thing you can do in that case is sell the stuff and donate the proceeds.

I don't have much to spare but I've given a small amount to DEFRA (as the Govt is matching it £ for £) a small amount to Lumos (as it specifically helps children) and a small amount to DEC (for children in Afganistan as I wonder if funding may be directed away from them during this horrible sitation in Ukraine & all children in war zones / aftermath need help although Ukraine seems most urgent atm).

I'd really like to 'make up a shoebox' with my children too but I worry that may be more about us 'feeling like we are doing something' than actually very helpful (potentially possibly even unhelpful for all the practical reasons listed above re clogging up resources at other end)

That’s far more sensible. How will it work all these man with a van types careering round a war zone trying to deliver gifts from primary school kids ?

[quote elbea]@Trixiefirecracker

‘We call on everyone wishing to help not to organise further collections of in-kind donations, as their transport to Poland – followed by a lengthy unloading, storage, selection and distribution procedure – generates disproportionate amounts of additional work and cost, which proves ineffective and counterproductive to the needs of those affected.’

www.gov.pl/web/unitedkingdom/humanitarian-aid-to-ukraine[/quote]
Yes, just bumping this. The Polish govt are specifically asking people NOT to send goods.

They give a list of charities. But DEC is a good option here as they send to other charities and our govt matches donations up to £20m. Loads of ways to donate on their website but if anyone needs their bank details DM me because I had to phone up to get them.

You've got to think in terms of what's actually practically best for the people you're trying to help, not what makes you feel best.

I don't mean that flippantly. We're all worried and we all want to help. But we've got to be clear headed about what's actually needed. It may not be what's easiest for us to do. Otherwise, you're not really trying to help the refugees, you're trying to help your own sense of uselessness.

Sell the stuff on eBay and make it clear all proceeds are going to Ukrainian refugees.

@52andblue

I don't have much to spare but I've given a small amount to DEFRA (as the Govt is matching it £ for £) a small amount to Lumos (as it specifically helps children) and a small amount to DEC (for children in Afganistan as I wonder if funding may be directed away from them during this horrible sitation in Ukraine & all children in war zones / aftermath need help although Ukraine seems most urgent atm).

I'd really like to 'make up a shoebox' with my children too but I worry that may be more about us 'feeling like we are doing something' than actually very helpful (potentially possibly even unhelpful for all the practical reasons listed above re clogging up resources at other end)

Maybe hold a driveway sale with your kids and donate the proceeds? Help them choose old toys they can sell. Even if it's only £2.50, that's a good lesson for the kids. I still remember my toys being sold to help striking miner's families in the eighties.

People in my small town are now finding that they can't buy nappies, baby wipes and sanitary towels for their own use because they've all been bought up to donate

@VanGoghsDog
Both my teens have said they'd rather give a small amount from their savings so that's fine by me.

So surely if people must “do something” they can go old school and hold jumble sales, car boots in the school playground, and sell off all these donations. Then the money can go where it’s needed
Yes but that requires effort, time and organisation. Bunging some old clothes in a bin bag and offloading them to someone else to sort out is quick and easy and makes you feel like you're helpful.

@Cablefable

Well yes a nice lesson in sharing but why should lessons for children here be more important than useful help that doesn't create more issues than it solves. Not everything is about us!

Pretty sure I never said it was more important. We can have both.

I donated via the DEC too. They are a trustworthy organisation and they will know what help is needed & where. Most importantly, the UK Government will match donations, so if you give £50 it will be worth £100.

I just saw another of these pop up on my local fb. I'm questioning why they are only accepting new items. Why would you only accept new blankets, towels, clothes?

@trulyconfuseddotcom

A Polish lady posted this on our local FB group this week:

Please consider this before deciding how to donate to Ukraine!

Things require space, storage and people to manage them at their destination. Many Polish border crossings are already jammed with vehicles and people on both sides.

Your pounds buy more in Poland, than they do here. Transport also consumes additional cost. The humanitarian organisations which are on the ground know best what is needed and how to manage it.

People's solidarity and generosity is wonderful, please keep donating items you already have (eg sleeping bags). But if you're heading to the supermarket to buy stock, and have the choice, please consider sending money to an authorised charity, instead of full trucks.

Above all, if you're doing something, anything - thank you!
✌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇵🇱🇺🇦🤙

Absolutely, just came to bump this. Also lots of companies, small and large have pledged to match cash donations. Not saying there isn't a place for donated goods, but cash is much easier to transport. This is from the Polish government. www.gov.pl/web/unitedkingdom/humanitarian-aid-to-ukraine

@Stressedout1009

I just saw another of these pop up on my local fb. I'm questioning why they are only accepting new items. Why would you only accept new blankets, towels, clothes?

Are you serious?

Have you seen the photos of piles of literal junk and rags people are "donating"?

Of course they only want new stuff.

Pretty sure I never said it was more important. We can have both

But in this scenario you can't, it's hard to manage all of these well meaning donations.

@Stressedout1009

I just saw another of these pop up on my local fb. I'm questioning why they are only accepting new items. Why would you only accept new blankets, towels, clothes?

To stop people palming off their unusable crap.

I'd rather donate money personally. I know people mean well, but a lot of people are donating any old rubbish. The aid agencies know what is needed, leave to professionals.

I am now donating to IWAF to help with the animal victims

@Stressedout1009

I just saw another of these pop up on my local fb. I'm questioning why they are only accepting new items. Why would you only accept new blankets, towels, clothes?

Because as always some people donate tatty, gross, unusable rubbish amongst the decent stuff. This takes up precious space, if it is to be used requires washing or cleaning first, and is generally a pain in the arse. Very sensible to ask for new only, even better to donate to charities who are coordinating purchases.

I am now donating to IWAF to help with the animal victims

I have just found the donation pages for IFAW (is that the same thing?) , and also a local shelter called “shelter friends” a on facebook m.facebook.com/shelterFriendDnepr/ in ukraine. They are taking in so many animals- breeders are dumping litters of puppies as well as the abandoned etc.