Ukrainian Action Marks 40th Convoy of Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine, Delivering 200th Vehicle
4 Sept 2023
Nonprofit organization co-founded and led by former US Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine donates trucks, ambulances, protective clothing, medical supplies and food to Ukrainians
Ukrainian Action lays the groundwork for the country’s reconstruction after the war against Russia is won by disbursing grants now to Ukrainian charities, providing mental health care and repairing shattered windows
Personal relationships spanning two decades yield local, on-the-ground intelligence that ensures what Ukrainian Action provides is precisely what Ukrainians need
LONDON—Aug. 14, 2023—Ukrainian Action, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the survival and development of Ukraine, delivered its 40th humanitarian-aid convoy to Ukraine at the end of July.
“We’re delivering the vital supplies that Ukrainians need to endure the continuing Russian onslaught,” said Jeffrey Hartman, Ukrainian Action co-founder and CEO. “From the trucks themselves to the medical equipment for frontline surgeons to protective clothing to more than 140 power generators to educational materials for schools, when you donate to Ukrainian Action, you see the direct impact of your giving.”
Launched weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, by Hartman, his Ukrainian-born wife Natasha, and ice hockey teammate Matthew Morgan, Ukrainian Action has donated more than 200 trucks and $3 million worth of physical goods to the people of Ukraine. A convoy of vehicles, often including pickup trucks and ambulances, departs from London to Ukraine every two weeks. Ukrainian Action boasts 35 volunteer members, more than 250 volunteer drivers and donors surpassing 1,200.
But it began with Hartman and Morgan buying two pickup trucks, then driving to Ukraine to donate them to Hartman’s long-time friends who were under Russian attack.
What differentiates Ukrainian Action from other Ukraine-relief organizations is the on-the-ground expertise and local knowledge possessed by Hartman and his Ukrainian partners. They ensure that 100% of what they supply to the Ukrainian people fills a need. Nothing is wasted; everything is used. Be it art supplies for orphanages, computers or food such as rice, macaroni, juice, milk, canned vegetables and cooking ingredients. All donations to the volunteer-run Ukrainian Action go to Ukrainians in Ukraine.
Hartman is able to run the tightest of ships due to the lasting friendships he made two decades ago when he was a Peace Corps volunteer in western Ukraine. They let him know what they require. Hartman and the Ukrainian Action team deliver.
“This network of my friends, their friends and friends of friends yields local insight and intel,” Hartman said. “For example, we work closely with a former Peace Corps doctor I have known for 20 years who has relationships with hospitals all over the country.”
Ukrainian Action operates in full transparency so donors to the cause feel connected to the endeavor. People may follow convoy shipments and progress through the organization’s Instagram account.
Partnerships, projects and Ukraine’s reconstruction
Ukrainian Action also has partnered with Water Mission to deliver and install water purification systems across the country. Those systems function like miniature water treatment plants that purify more than 10,000 gallons of water daily—enough drinking water for 5,000 people.
Like the donated trucks that enable the evacuation of vulnerable Ukrainians in danger, the water purification systems enable survival for those living in areas where potable water no longer exists. The availability of clean water restores a sense of normalcy and stability in those communities.
As does another initiative undertaken by Ukrainian Action: replacing shattered windows in residential homes. Doing so not only restores physical structures, but also lifts spirits and further strengthens the existing resilience of war-torn communities.
In addition to physical reconstruction, Ukrainian Action also supplies grants to a local Ukrainian charity providing free mental health care to women and children affected by the war.. To date, the organization has disbursed over $55,000 in grant funding.
These efforts are fundamental to the rebuilding efforts already underway in the face of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression. Ukrainian Action is well-positioned to play an important role in the country’s recovery.
How to help
To donate or volunteer, please visit www.ukrainianaction.com. To buy Ukrainian Action merchandise to support the relief effort, please the organization’s online store. All profits go to support the delivery of trucks and materials to Ukraine. To follow Ukrainian Action on its social media accounts, please visit its Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
About Ukrainian Action
Headquartered in London, Ukrainian Action is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the survival and recovery of Ukraine. Co-founded weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, by CEO Jeffrey Hartman, his Ukrainian-born wife Natasha and Matthew Morgan, Ukrainian Action has donated more than 200 trucks and $3 million worth of physical goods to the people of Ukraine. The organization boasts 35 volunteer members, more than 250 volunteer drivers and donors surpassing 1,200. Ukrainian Action is registered with the United Kingdom Charity Commission with UK Registered Charity Number 1202133, and is a U.S. tax-exempt public charity under 501(c)(3): FEIN 88-1173971. All donations from individual UK and U.S. taxpayers are tax-deductible. To learn more, please visit: www.ukrainianaction.com.
Media contact
Jeffrey Hartman
Co-founder and CEO
