Aid to arrive from Alicante
Costa residents head to camps set up at Ukraine border crossings
THE DAILY news from wartorn Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis that has ensued from the aftermath of the Russian invasion has moved the world – and NGOs, local businesses and the fire brigade in Alicante province have taken action to help.
International aid agencies such as Cáritas, Red Cross, UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) have all been working around the clock to help the refugees – and at a local level, British expats have also stepped in.
On Wednesday morning, Altea businesswoman Jacqui Birch set out on the 6,000km round trip, to predominantly deliver desperately-needed medical supplies.
She was moved by the hourly news reports being broadcast and vowed to do her little bit.
She put out a Facebook appeal to her friends five days ago, asking for donations to purchase medical supplies and was ‘absolutely
blown away by people’s kindness and generosity’.
A medical wholesaler was contacted in Alicante to place an urgent order, which was collected on Tuesday afternoon.
A large crate has been packed into a Viano van, which had the seats taken out to make use of every available centimetre.
Accompanying her was Dani Bowler, of Masterchef fame, who lives on the Costa Blanca and is now a private chef travelling the world.
He offered his culinary skills for a week to help cook at
one of the temporary kitchens set up at the Polish Ukrainian border crossing.
As they set off Jacqui told Costa Blanca News: “I’d like to thank everyone for the amazing messages of support and thank all the people that have been able to donate both money to buy medical supplies and things to take.
“Every single person that has donated a euro, a packet of plasters, a box of biscuits or warm blanket, I thank you for entrusting me with your donation.”
Members of the provincial
fire service are also on the way with donations.
They reported on Wednesday that they were ‘closer to the Czech republic’ as they make for the Ukraine border.
“This morning we were making arrangements with the personnel who are based on the border so that we can organise the handing over of the material and find the people who we're bringing back,” noted a brigade spokesperson.
“We would like to thank all those people who collaborated to make this possible.”