Your help in action: How we work, the needs,
and how your donations directly impacts in Ukraine

1. Who are we?

We are a volunteer organization founded on February 24, 2022, at the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our team consists of eight individuals from Munich, Schliersee, and Cologne. Some of our members are originally from Ukraine, and two are still on the there. Additionally, we work closely with partner organizations in Germany and Ukraine to ensure that our help is delivered directly and effectively.

Some of us have been involved in supporting Ukraine since 2014, and through this long-standing experience, we have built valuable and trusted contacts on the ground. This enables us to guarantee that your support reaches its destination!

​​

2. How do we work?

Our working model is simple yet effective – and, most importantly, designed to provide help quickly and precisely. Since our team operates both, in Ukraine and in Germany, we ensure that aid directly reaches those who need it most.

 

2.1 Needs lists and regular updates:

Part of our team is directly in Ukraine and maintains constant contact with clinics, medical teams, women’s and children’s shelters, and defenders at the front. They regularly send us updated needs lists, outlining the materials and aid items currently required. These details provide us with clear guidance on how we can provide the most effective assistance.

 

2.2 Collection of donations:

Once we know what is needed, we reach out to our supporters in the community – to people who want to help, either through monetary or material donations. This is how we gather everything that is needed and prepare the donations for shipping.

​

2.3 Packaging and shipping:

The collected donations are carefully packed by us to ensure they can be transported safely and efficiently. Every 1-2 weeks, the transport of the aid items is organized with a close friend and confidant who regularly travels to Ukraine. This ensures that the donations reach their destination in a timely and reliable manner.

​

2.4 Distribution in Ukraine:

Once your help has arrived in Ukraine, everything is taken over by our team. They coordinate the distribution either themselves or through our partner organizations ELEOS, Invictus, and Charitable Organization Yurii Shchotkin, who are well-connected on the ground. This ensures that the aid items reach the clinics, medical teams, women’s and children’s shelters, and defenders at the front directly.

 

2.5 Transparency and tracking:

We place great importance on ensuring that every donation reaches its intended destination and that our supporters are informed about how their contribution is used. Therefore, all donors receive regular updates and reports upon request, showing how their support is arriving on the ground and what impact it has had.

​

3. How do we collaborate with our partners?

​

Our work would not be possible without the support of our partner organizations. We are proud to work closely with "Wir helfen Menschen e.V." and PLAST in Germany, as well as ELEOS, Invictus, and Charitable Organization Yurii Shchotkin in Ukraine. These partnerships are crucial to us because they enable us to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of the people on the ground.

"Wir helfen Menschen e.V." and PLAST in Germany support us with the logistical organization of aid supplies, donation collection, packaging, and shipping. They help ensure that everything is processed smoothly and efficiently.

​

ELEOS, Invictus, and Charitable Organization Yurii Shchotkin in Ukraine are directly involved on the ground and carry out incredibly important work. They coordinate the distribution of aid supplies and ensure that they reach the people who need help the most – whether in clinics, emergency shelters, or among the defenders at the front.

Through this collaboration, we can guarantee that your support is targeted, efficient, and delivered directly to those who need it most. Our partners on the ground are familiar with the conditions and challenges in the affected regions and ensure that each step of our joint assistance is carried out meaningfully and effectively.

​

4. Use of Monetary Donations

​

With monetary donations, we can quickly respond to urgent requests and precisely purchase everything that is urgently needed but cannot be obtained through material donations – such as thermopads, special shoes, thermal clothing, EcoFlows, laptops, medications, and much more. These funds allow us to meet the demand within a very short time, often within a week.

An important point: Your donations are used exclusively for direct assistance. No funds are allocated to administrative costs or anything else. Only a very small portion is used for transport and fuel to ensure the aid supplies reach their destination safely.

With your support, we can provide vital assistance and ensure that the required resources reach the right place quickly.

​

5. The Local Need and Our Needs List – What is Needed and Why – Key Points from Our Needs List, Briefly Summarized and Explained

​

Our needs list is based on direct requests from people in Ukraine and our partners on the ground, who regularly inform us about what is most urgently needed. These requests help us respond effectively to the needs of the people in Ukraine.

​

- Medications:

The supply of medications in Ukraine is currently extremely difficult. There is a shortage of essential drugs, such as heart medications, cancer drugs, coagulation agents, antiepileptics, and more. Additionally, there is an increasing issue with multi-resistant pathogens in clinics, which complicates the treatment of wounds and infections. To avoid amputations or at least reduce their scope, specific antibiotics and wound cleansing solutions are urgently needed. Particularly on the front lines, blast injuries are widespread, making medications for treating such injuries and vitamins for soldiers essential. Even common medications like painkillers and cold medicines for both adults and children are hard to come by and are needed on an ongoing basis to ensure basic care.

​

• Antibiotics and Antiseptics: Antibiotics are urgently needed to prevent infections after injuries or surgeries. They are also essential to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections.

• Disinfectants: These are necessary to protect wounds and surgical sites from infections.

• Infusions and Electrolyte Solutions: For patients who have sustained severe injuries or are weakened by dehydration, intravenous infusions are crucial for stabilizing fluid and electrolyte balance. These solutions help stabilize circulation and normalize blood pressure.

​

- Medical Supplies and Hospital Materials:

​

Due to the extremely severe injuries that occur daily, there is a constant need for bandages and medical supplies. Special care is required for open wounds, burns, and gunshot injuries. In addition to bandages, many other medical supplies are crucial for treating and caring for the injured and sick, including:

• Bandages and Wound Care: This includes sterile compresses, gauzes, bandages, plasters, self-adhesive dressings, and wound pads, all needed for the quick treatment and covering of wounds.

• Pain Relievers: Strong painkillers (e.g., opioids) and anti-inflammatory drugs are needed to alleviate acute pain and promote recovery.

• Injection Materials: Syringes, needles, cannulas, and infusion sets are essential for administering medications, blood plasma, or nutritional solutions.

• Burn Dressings: Special sterile burn dressings are required to protect tissue and aid healing, particularly for burn injuries. These dressings help reduce pain and prevent infections.

• Airways and Oxygen Supply: For patients with breathing problems, respiratory masks, oxygen tanks, and equipment are needed to supply adequate oxygen, especially in severe cases of breathlessness.

• Eye and Eyelid Care: In areas with military conflicts or explosions, eye injuries are common. We need special medications and materials for eye cleaning and care.

​

- Equipment and Medical Facility Needs:

​

In conflict zones, hospitals and ambulances are frequently targeted, leading to repeated destruction of vital equipment and infrastructure. This ongoing threat means medical facilities must constantly replace and maintain their equipment to ensure patient care. To provide high-quality treatment under these extreme conditions, the following equipment and facilities are essential:

• Ultrasound Machines: Due to their mobility and versatility, they are indispensable for rapid diagnosis. They enable precise examination of internal injuries or bleeding and are especially valuable in emergencies, as they allow for quick decisions. Given the destruction of facilities from air or rocket attacks, ultrasound machines must frequently be replaced and repaired quickly.

• Surgical Lamps: In conflict areas, surgeries are often performed under extreme conditions, and lighting is often inadequate during emergency operations. Powerful and portable surgical lamps are necessary to carry out surgeries even under difficult, often makeshift conditions. Due to repeated destruction, these lamps must be regularly replaced or repaired.

• Surgical and Treatment Beds: These devices are needed not only for performing surgeries but also for treating injured patients in emergencies. After repeated attacks on hospitals, stable, easily transportable beds are crucial to quickly and safely treat patients and, if necessary, evacuate them.

• Ventilators: In most conflict areas, providing breathing assistance to patients with severe injuries or respiratory distress is crucial. Ventilators stabilize patients, and their destruction in attacks causes dramatic shortages in care. The continuous supply and maintenance of these devices are therefore of utmost importance.

• Heart Monitors and Defibrillators: Constant access to heart monitors and defibrillators is essential, as conflict zones see many patients with life-threatening conditions. The destruction of medical equipment from attacks requires the regular replacement and maintenance of these devices to ensure patient survival.

• Infusion Pumps: These devices are necessary to administer fluids and medications accurately and continuously, which is especially important for severely injured or critically ill patients. Attacks on hospitals make it necessary to replace these devices regularly to maintain uninterrupted patient care.

• X-Ray Machines: To diagnose fractures or internal injuries, X-ray machines are crucial. Since infrastructure in conflict areas is frequently destroyed, these devices must be mobile and quickly restorable to make swift diagnoses.

• ECG (Electrocardiogram) Machines: An ECG is critical for monitoring a patient’s heart activity, particularly for severely injured or ill patients. In conflict zones, where heart problems often arise due to stress, trauma, or exhaustion, this device is indispensable for diagnosing heart arrhythmias or failures.

• Endoscopes: These are used to examine the inside of hollow organs like the stomach, intestines, or airways. In conflict zones where internal injuries are common, a functional endoscope is necessary for making precise diagnoses and preparing for surgeries. Repairing and providing such devices is important, as they are essential for thorough examination.

• Blood Gas Analyzers: These devices are critical for monitoring respiratory function, acid-base balance, and blood oxygen levels. In cases of gunshot wounds or other traumatic incidents that cause breathing difficulties, precise blood gas measurements are required for fast and appropriate treatment.

• Blood Pressure Monitors (Automatic and Manual): In conflict zones, where trauma, shock, and severe injuries are common, quickly measuring blood pressure is essential to minimize the risk of circulatory failure or organ failure. These devices are indispensable and must be regularly available.

• Oximeters: A pulse oximeter measures blood oxygen saturation, which is crucial in crisis zones to monitor patients suffering from breathlessness. This device is lightweight, portable, and must be regularly functional, especially after airstrikes, where people often suffer from respiratory injuries.

• Portable X-Ray and Ultrasound Machines: In areas where stationary X-ray devices are unavailable due to destruction, portable X-ray and ultrasound machines are indispensable. These devices enable immediate diagnosis of injuries such as fractures or internal bleeding without the need to transport patients for long periods.

• CT Scanners (Computed Tomography): Although expensive and heavier to transport, mobile CT scanners provide crucial diagnostic capabilities. In conflict zones where severe trauma and injuries are frequent, a CT scanner allows for immediate and precise diagnoses, especially for head injuries and internal bleeding.

• Laryngoscopes and Intubation Devices: These devices are essential for securing the airways of patients, particularly in severe injuries or unconsciousness. Rapid intubation of patients who have stopped breathing or are severely injured can save lives.

​

- Dental Materials:

​

In emergencies, many people also suffer from toothaches, broken teeth, or infections in the mouth area. Dental materials are therefore also an important part of our equipment requirements. These include, for example, anesthetics, dental filling materials, tools for tooth extraction, as well as disinfectants and mouthwashes.

​

- Emergency Care:

​

In cases of injuries or medical emergencies, specialized materials and equipment are essential to ensure fast and effective treatment right at the scene. They enable immediate care, whether for pain relief or to stabilize patients before more comprehensive medical attention can be provided.

​

• Emergency Backpacks: These compact, portable backpacks are critical for immediate first aid at the scene. They contain everything needed for the first hour after an injury, such as bandages, painkillers, disinfectants, and first-aid devices. They are particularly important for responding quickly and flexibly in hard-to-reach or chaotic areas.

• Tourniquets: Tourniquets are life-saving, especially in severe injuries, as they allow the injured person to stop bleeding themselves until professional medical help arrives. It is essential that every soldier carries at least two SAM or CAT tourniquets, as these models are reliable and can save lives in an emergency. Inferior tourniquets, on the other hand, can tear, making treatment dangerous and potentially leading to death. We have experienced this ourselves but were fortunate to rely on high-quality models from other units, which saved lives.

• Transport Stretchers and Transport Sheets: These are used for the safe and efficient evacuation of severely injured individuals from danger zones. They need to be stable and easy to use to ensure fast, gentle transportation even under extreme conditions.

• Ready Heat Blankets: Especially in winter and cold temperatures, one of the greatest dangers for the injured is the risk of hypothermia. In severe injuries, body temperature drops rapidly, and an evacuation may take up to two days. During this time, it is crucial to keep patients warm. Ready Heat Blankets are self-heating and an important measure to maintain body temperature and prevent hypothermia. Many could have survived but died from hypothermia because they couldn’t be kept warm enough during evacuation. These blankets provide vital support to help stabilize patients' temperature in extremely cold conditions and facilitate recovery.

​

- Food:

​

The food supply is particularly strained in the frontline areas as well as in clinics, women’s shelters, and children’s homes. On one hand, Ukraine’s self-sufficiency is affected by the destruction of agricultural land, which significantly limits food production. On the other hand, many areas are hard to access, making the supply of fresh and non-perishable food increasingly difficult. In some clinics, patients only receive one bowl of porridge per day.

At the front, especially ready-made, quick-to-prepare food is needed, providing soldiers with energy quickly and being easy to transport. At the same time, people, regardless of whether they are at the frontline or in emergency shelters, also appreciate sweets, which bring them a little variety and joy. Even small things like this can have a great impact.

 

- Clothing and Equipment for the Frontline:

​

Shoes and Clothing: At the front, particularly specialized shoes and thermal clothing are needed, which we purchase using donation funds. When a new soldier joins a unit or a specific size is required, there are often neither suitable shoes nor thermal or fleece clothing available. This specialized equipment helps soldiers endure the extreme conditions at the front.

Thermopads: Thermopads are a life-saving aid, especially during the extremely cold winter months, to prevent the freezing of toes and fingers, which can often lead to amputations. These small, portable heat sources provide a direct and effective solution to combat the extreme cold conditions at the front. They can be placed in shoes or gloves and provide a constant source of warmth, significantly reducing the risk of frostbite.

Silver Thread Socks and Athlete's Foot Spray: Athlete's foot is a major problem, especially at the front, as soldiers must wear their shoes for long periods – often under extremely wet and cold conditions. Constant moisture and lack of air circulation promote the development of skin infections and fungal diseases. Silver-thread socks offer valuable prevention against athlete's foot. Thanks to their antibacterial and odor-neutralizing properties, these socks actively help prevent fungal infections and skin conditions. They help maintain the foot health of soldiers, which is crucial in times of crisis. Silver threads also have anti-inflammatory effects and can alleviate skin irritations, which is especially important for soldiers working under extreme conditions. In addition, athlete's foot spray is an important supplement for prevention. It helps prevent fungal growth on the skin by being antibacterial and simultaneously protecting the skin from moisture. Regular use of the spray helps avoid skin infections and keeps soldiers' feet in good condition, ensuring their readiness and health in the long term.

 

- Technology for the Front:

​

At the front, modern technology is an indispensable tool for maintaining communication and helping soldiers carry out their tasks under extreme conditions. Some of the urgently needed technical devices include:

EcoFlows and Solar Panels: These solar generators allow important devices to be operated even in remote areas without a stable power supply. They are especially useful for powering medical devices, communication equipment, Starlinks, or small household appliances in emergency shelters and at the front lines.

Solar Power Banks: These solar-powered batteries are specifically designed to charge devices such as phones, GPS systems, and other communication tools while on the go, independent of conventional power sources. They provide a reliable energy source when access to traditional power is unavailable, which is crucial at the front.

Smartphones: Smartphones are essential as they are not only needed for communication between soldiers and their families or colleagues but also for exchanging important information and coordination. In combat, these devices often get damaged, which can hinder communication with loved ones and the front lines. Therefore, functioning smartphones are constantly needed to maintain connection and offer evacuated civilians the chance to stay in touch.

Gaming Laptops and Computers: These devices are particularly important as they are required for strategic planning and handling complex data. Gaming laptops and computers, with their high computing power, provide exceptional performance, which is beneficial in challenging environments. They allow for real-time data analysis, map creation, and running complex simulations, which is crucial for coordinating and executing missions.

Special Flashlights for Drone and Rocket Defense: These flashlights are specially designed to make drones and rockets visible in the dark. At night, these threats are often hard to detect, making them more difficult to combat. With special, high-performance flashlights, soldiers can target and fend off enemy drones and rockets in the dark. These flashlights are especially important for the safety of the front lines and preventing attacks that are hard to identify in the dark. They provide vital support at night, enabling a quick response to airstrikes and drone threats.

These devices are critical for securing communication and supply lines at the front and helping soldiers and medical teams perform their tasks efficiently. Smartphones, in particular, are a key tool for maintaining connections with loved ones and ensuring moral support, which is especially important in times of crisis.

​

- Other Help for the Injured and Medical Teams

​

In addition to direct medical supplies and specialized equipment, we also require additional essential resources to optimally support both the injured and the medical teams on site. This support includes everything necessary for the quick and effective care and stabilization of patients, as well as for maintaining the medical workforce:

Clothing for Clinics: When injured defenders are admitted to clinics, their clothing is often cut off because it is no longer wearable, especially with very tight uniforms that are difficult to remove. To quickly and safely remove this clothing, Leatherman scissors are needed. These scissors are specifically designed to cut through tough materials quickly and effectively. They are indispensable for helping the injured swiftly and without additional pain, freeing them from their clothes. Once the clothing is removed, clinics then require comfortable, well-maintained clothing for men, as well as slippers and sneakers, so that the patients can be dressed again. This not only aids in physical recovery but also promotes the patients’ psychological well-being, as they regain a sense of dignity and comfort.

Backpacks: Soldiers and patients often need to transfer to different clinics when their treatment progress changes or when being moved to a specialized facility. Their personal items are typically carried in plastic bags, which are impractical and insecure. Backpacks offer a much safer and more practical way to store and transport these items. They are durable and allow patients to safely and comfortably transport their personal belongings, such as documents, medications, or valuables, without the risk of losing anything.

Incontinence Pads: Due to severe injuries or illnesses, many patients rely on incontinence pads. These are essential for keeping the patients clean and preventing skin infections. Especially in stressful and chaotic crisis situations, it is crucial that patients, despite their injuries, can maintain a certain level of hygiene and comfort.

Bedding and Towels: Due to strict hygiene regulations in clinics, bedding and towels must be regularly changed and replenished. Clean bedding is vital for maintaining good hygiene to avoid infections and complications in patients. It is also important to provide patients with a clean and comfortable environment to help them recover better.

Warm, Non-Tight Socks and Underwear: In many clinics or emergency treatment centers set up in shelters or temporary facilities, patients rely on warm, non-tight socks. These help to keep the feet warm and improve circulation. Especially after surgeries or during periods of high stress, patients need comfortable, breathable clothing, including underwear, to aid in their recovery.

​

- Orthopedic Materials:

​

Our defenders are constantly exposed to extreme physical stress. They carry up to 60 kg of equipment and body armor, which over time leads to tremendous strain on their bodies. Body armor is meant to be worn for no more than four hours, but at the front, this is often not possible—it must be worn all day, leading to significant damage to the skeleton and chronic pain.

In addition to the equipment for the defenders, we also need specialized orthopedic materials for injured soldiers and civilians who have undergone medical treatment in clinics. These include, among others:

Knee Braces and Bandages: These support the healing process after injuries and prevent additional damage while the affected limbs are being used again.

Back Braces and Orthopedic Support: Constant strain and poor posture often lead to severe back and joint problems, making back braces an indispensable part of rehabilitation care.

Wristbands and Special Splints: These help stabilize joints and bones after fractures and support the healing process while individuals must continue to manage daily activities.

Orthopedic materials are therefore not only critical for defenders on the front lines but also for injured soldiers and civilians who require support and pain relief to aid their recovery and restore their quality of life.

​

- Wheelchairs and Crutches: Mobility for War Injured

​

The war leaves many people with severe, life-changing injuries, including the loss of limbs. For these individuals, access to mobility aids is crucial. In this situation, wheelchairs and crutches are vital tools to help the affected regain some independence and quality of life.

Electric Wheelchairs: Particularly for those who have lost one or both legs in the war, electric wheelchairs are invaluable. They allow effortless movement without relying on others for help. This is especially important for people with only one arm, as electric wheelchairs are easy to use and offer greater independence.

Manual Wheelchairs: For war-injured individuals who cannot support themselves on their own legs, manual wheelchairs are indispensable. They provide the affected individuals with the ability to move with the help of a companion. Wheelchairs are crucial in giving back a portion of the quality of life to those who have lost some or all of their mobility.

Crutches: For many injured individuals who have lost part of their legs or bodies, crutches are an important aid. They allow a person with one functioning leg to maintain some degree of movement and independence before having to rely on a wheelchair.

​

- Hygiene Products​

​

Hygiene products are of great importance both at the front and in hospitals, as they help prevent infections and diseases. In war zones, especially in destroyed areas without water supply, they are often the only way to maintain personal hygiene. One example is water-based wet wipes, which provide a quick and easy cleaning option when water is scarce. These products are crucial in protecting the health of soldiers and civilians and maintaining medical care in hospitals.

​

- Tools (Well-Maintained) for Quick Repairs

​

At the front and in destroyed areas, being able to repair vehicles and equipment quickly is crucial for maintaining operational capability. Well-maintained tools are needed to repair everything from vehicles to medical equipment and communication devices. Specialized tools such as wrenches, pliers, drills, screwdrivers, multitools, and spare parts are particularly useful for quick repairs and maintaining infrastructure.

​​

- Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Mats

​

Sleeping bags and sleeping mats are essential for providing a minimum of comfort and protection in the challenging conditions at the front or in destroyed areas. Since stable shelters are often unavailable, these tools offer a way to protect oneself from the cold and get the necessary rest. They are crucial for the well-being and recovery of the personnel, ensuring they remain fit for their tasks.

​

- Care Needs for Severely Injured Individuals

​

The care needs include everything necessary for the care of severely injured individuals, both in hospitals and for home care. This includes aids such as toilet and shower chairs, anti-decubitus pads, special mattresses, positioning aids, and bandages. These items help ensure the comfort and hygiene of patients, support their healing, and reduce the strain on caregivers. Especially in areas with limited access to medical care, these products are crucial to secure the quality of life and care for the injured.

The demand for all of these aids is enormous, and we can only capture and list a part of them here. Apart from clothing for children and women, almost everything is needed. We are therefore very grateful for your message if you are able to provide something or know others who are willing to donate. Every contribution helps save lives or improve conditions for people both at the front and in the affected areas.

​

6. How You Can Support Us and be a Lifesaver

​

The people who support us are the true lifesavers. We are the link between those who are ready to help and those who are in need of assistance. Your support makes all the difference – without you, we wouldn't be able to provide help.

There are several ways you can assist us:

Financial Support: Your monetary donations allow us to respond quickly and specifically to urgent requests. With this, we can purchase items that aren't available through in-kind donations, such as special medications, equipment, or urgently needed devices. Without these funds, quick responses to emergencies and the immediate purchase of essential items like winter clothing or emergency supplies wouldn't be possible.

In-kind Donations: Through your in-kind donations, we can meet the needs and ensure that everything gets to those who need it the most – whether medical supplies, clothing, hygiene items, or other urgently required goods. Your donations have a direct and immediate impact, reaching exactly those who require them.

Share Our Calls and Stay Alert: Anyone who shares our messages or points us toward donation sources helps us find the resources we need. Your eyes and ears can make the difference, and it’s an easy way to become part of a massive support wave. This enables us to respond quickly to emergencies as a community.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter and Follow Us on Social Media: Sign up for our newsletter to regularly learn where your help is going and what specific needs are currently being addressed. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date and interact with us directly.

​

7. Where can I drop off in-kind donations?

​

Please contact us directly to find the appropriate drop-off location for your in-kind donations. We will provide you with all the details and ensure that your donations are quickly and effectively delivered to the right place.

​

8. Do you accept used items?

Yes, we gladly accept gently used items as long as they are clean, free of unpleasant odors, and in a condition that is pleasant and useful for the people receiving them. We want to ensure that donations are in good condition so they can be of the best help to the recipients. Thank you for your understanding and support!

​​​​

9. Do you have any further questions?

​

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our work, feel free to contact us at any time. We will gladly answer all your questions and are open and transparent. There are several ways you can reach us:

• Phone: +49 176 98518544

• WhatsApp: +49 176 98518544

• Email: together4ukraine@web.de

We are happy to provide you with all the information and clarify your concerns. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us!

​

​

A heartfelt thank you to all supporters! Without your help, we couldn't provide the vital support that is urgently needed. Your support makes a real difference – together, we stand by those who need help the most