A ‘final volley’ for me, this evening: an update on our collection for the ZSU.
***
As mentioned in the Update 23, the last week we’ve received a request to support the build-up of a new UAV-unit.
Up front: I’ve mis-identified the unit in question as the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. Sorry for this!
The correct unit to which the emerging UAV-platoon is assigned is the
As usually, you were all so wonderful and have promptly supported this collection. As a result, we’ve managed to collect enough, acquire and ship almost everything the unit requested, including (between others):
Field generator (UAH 22,999,—)
2x charging stations (each UAH 68,400,—)
Laptop (UAH 25,999,—)
2x FPV-related equipment (sorry, can’t go into details, except ‘including cables’; UAH 36,457,02)
1 flat-screen TV was donated by a kind supporter
Everything has already reached the unit, and they are sending their thanks and greetings. Visible below is some of equipment they’ve received:
Again: I can’t go into too many details (for obvious reason: revealing all the details about a brand-new unit - and if it’s ‘just a platoon’ - would be crazy), but the unit is outfitted and meanwhile in action. Yes, in a matter of one week, YOU have helped outfit a new, well-equipped unit!
Of course, we’re going to continue supporting them in the future as well (as long as you are so kind to continue enabling this).
Special thanks to everybody supporting this collection: you are great!
***
Of course, such good deeds are soon heard around, and thus we’ve received a similar request from the 78th Airborne Assault Regiment. They also have a newly-established sub-unit, ‘but’…well, this needs a little bit more.
Anastasiia has already sent them two tablets, and the rest is to follow. Photos of the equipment in question are to follow, too.
***
While this was going on, Anastasiia has also taken care to acquire, pack, and ship the following:
151st Mechanised Brigade
Seven first-aid kits (as obvious from the photo below: they’re already with the unit).
***
Finally, we’ve received the thanks from,
14th NG Chervona Kalyna Brigade (see Update 22).
93rd Mechanised Brigade (between others, see Update 20).
***
After all of this, we’ve still got US$ 5,385,80 on the Paypal account. Plus about 1,000 on the other accounts. Means: we’re going to be capable to support the 78th Airborne Assault Regiment. Thanks a lot!
***
Regarding how to donate: for US$, we would prefer transfers to this account:
IBAN: UA333220010000026200347742354
SWIFT/BIC Code: UNJSUAUKXXX
Receiver: Anastasiia Nakonechna
***
For Euro:
IBAN: UA553220010000026202349098435
SWIFT/BIC Code: UNJSUAUKXXX
Receiver: Anastasiia Nakonechna
***
For UAH:
IBAN: UA463220010000026207342800120
IПН/ЄДРПОУ: 3157611891
Post Code: 50012 (Ukraine; this way, you should be able to donate via the Revolut service, too.)
If you must state the purpose of the transfer, enter ‘Charity for Ukraine’, please.
***
Finally, Paypal: 5266986@gmail.com (Purpose: ‘For Rickshaws’)
SPECIAL THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT!
I would like to reinforce why it is so important to "give locally". Why large aid orgs or corporations don't actually solve any problems on the ground.
When you give to Rickshaws for Ukraine or other local Ukrainian aid organizations you are putting all the money in Ukraine (that the banks don't take). This helps the local economy. Locals know where the money is actually needed on a day to day basis. The large aid org method is to have layers of middle management (salaries) and bring in experts or refer to data on a chart. This is costly, and near useless.
Large aid orgs generally spend about 20% of your money with local partners called "Sub Implementing Partners". These are the locals that actually do all the work. Also, in the case of mega aid orgs like the UN, WHO, or International Red Cross, that 20% often shrinks to less than 10%.
So, if you "gave at the office" to a mega aid org. You actually didn't do much.
Here is a video that isn't exactly what I am explaining to you here, but it touches on the problems of foreign aid. Including how it makes things worse, not better. Long story short, give as local as you can to aid Ukraine. Rickshaws for Ukraine is a great example. This money goes to work immediately. All of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFRTviAVthU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eMu93TqK-0
Thanks for the update. Always good to hear about this. I like these reports and they function as a reminder. It’s important to me to put my money where my mouth is. Another very important feature of these reports is of course that they build trust. Because while I do trust you enough to send you money I like see that they are put to use. And here is where I will nuance Benjamin’s comments. I do believe in small local organizations like you are organizing. But while I acknowledge the problem of bigger organizations (I haven’t seen percentages that bad before, but yes the cost is there) I also think that it is easier to trust the than some totale random. Having read this blog for some tears I think can trust you, but before I would have to go to either a large organization or to some (in my case) Norwegian organization. There are several such often focusing on providing equipment to Ukraine like fire trucks, cars (the need is recognized), generators and so on. But big organizations have their place in this ecosystem. And very big one might shape policy. When Amnesty International calls Israel’s actions in Gaza for genocide it affects peoples thinking. (unfortunately that is also true when they mess up, but the point remains). It wouldn’t make the same impact if Rickshaws dif. Big organizations are accountable and matter. Just nuancing here, now it’s time for PayPal (sorry but it’s so easy).