Copyright © 2021 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Three years of Estonian support for Ukraine. The story of Vaba Ukraina

Exactly three years ago, the Estonian NGO Vaba Ukraina was launched in order to assist Ukraine in repelling the Russian-led militants engulfing the east of the country in war. Over these three years, the NGO has steadfastly assisted the Ukrainian efforts to repel the aggressor – via charity concerts, organizing medical trainings, shipping medical supplies. How can an NGO in a small country far away care so much? “We have a common enemy, so support is a given,” Sven Salumets told Euromaidan Press. “For the honor of Estonia and the freedom of Ukraine.” Here is a very brief report on all the things that Vaba Ukraina has done for Ukraine -for which we thank our Estonian friends from the bottom of our hearts.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo

 

353 413 euros and 69 cents. This is the sum that has passed through the accounts of NGO Vaba Ukraina (Free Ukraine) since the organization was founded exactly three years ago, on 11 August 2014. It includes both private donations and incomes from our unforgettable charity concert „From Estonia to Ukraine” in 2014 (in the total amount of 279 635 euros and 63 cents) as well as support from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (73 778 euros and 6 cents). 

[quote style=”boxed” float=”left”]For the honor of Estonia and the freedom of Ukraine.[/quote] This is a lot of money. Really, A LOT of money for a country of 1.3 million inhabitants, donated to a non-governmental charity organization that supports Ukrainians fighting for their freedom and independence, focusing on the most valuable – the saving of human lives.

This amount does not include the first aid supplies collected during our street campaigns – this was when our fellow Estonians brought us piles of bandages and dressings, until the neighboring pharmacies were out of stock on those first-aid supplies. Nor does it include the loads of chocolate, candy, and coffee that were brought to us so we could send it to Ukraine. And finally, this calculation does not include the immense warmth of hearts that accompanied all these generous donations, it simply does not compute.

V+дli+-ritus Tartus 17. oktoobril 2015

I believe that we have not let you down.

Below, let me list some of our main accomplishments – those, that  can be easily quantified:

Together with the Centre of War and Catastrophe Medicine of the Estonian National Defense College, we have trained 80 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) instructors and 20 Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) specialists. Before the launch of our program, there were only a handful of TCCC instructors in Ukraine, and ATLS was entirely unknown to the Ukrainians. TCCC protocol has now been officially integrated into the training program of the Ukrainian army – with the help of instructors trained by us.

Instructors trained by us developed a Ukrainian mnemonic system, known as KOLESO, based on the Western mnemonics of  <C>ABCDE describing the protocol of patient treatment. We have helped to cover the cost of the printing of the first test batches of individual cards describing the essential steps in providing first aid in accordance to said KOLESO system in combination with MIST report. By now, all fighters in the ATO zone are required to carry such cards.

We have shipped 50 CPR mannequins to our instructors so they can train others.  Again, previously only a few such mannequins were available in Ukraine. With the help of these mannequins and thanks to the efforts of our instructors, thousands of people have been trained to provide modern life-saving first aid, both in civilian life and frontline conditions.

Mannekeen

We have shipped loads of first-aid supplies that have helped save the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian patriots. The list below includes only the most important items:

  • 312 fully equipped battle medic’s trauma bags, paramedic’s rucksacks, and medic’s supply bags;
  • 393 stretchers,
  • 1059 individual first-aid kits (IFAKs)

The war continues, and NGO Free Ukraine carries on its work – with your help, together, step by step closer to the victory. Eventually, we shall win no matter what!

Many thanks to all of our donors, supporters, and partners!

Sven Salumets

Member of the board

If you are a volunteer with an NGO connected with Ukraine and would like to tell your story, please write us at euromaidanpress (a) gmail.com.

Read also:

 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!
Total
0
Shares
Related Posts

February 21: Pentagon experts have recorded a surge in Russian air activity over Ukraine

February 21 – Russian terrorists continue to shell the city of Avdiyivka. Three residents were killed, – informed the Head of Donetsk Regional Department of the Interior Ministry Vyacheslv Abroskin.

February 21 – Security Service of Ukraine has composed a list of over 100 Russian media, whose accreditation has been temporarily withdrawn. Right move, since they are not regular media but KGB.

February 21 – United States and its allies are discussing the possibility of adopting additional sanctions against Russia due to the situation in eastern Ukraine, – said US Secretary of State John Kerry at the meeting with UK Foreign Minister Philip Hammond. We'll be waiting.

February 21 – Pentagon experts have recorded a surge in Russian air activity over Ukraine, stated US Ministry of Defense spokesman Steve Warren.

February 21 – 139 Ukrainian military have just been freed near Luhansk, – informed the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. Hybrid war. It is like we are at war and at the same time we're not.

February 21 – Military actions implemented by Putin against Ukraine, have already cost Russian society and the state 123 billion USD, said the president of the Institute of Economic Analysis Andrei Illarionov at a roundtable meeting in Kyiv.

February 21 – Fighters are increasing their presence in the direction towards Mariupol. Maybe they are readying to attack Mariupol. This was stated by ATO Spokesperson, Andriy Lysenko and transmitted by Interfax-Ukraine.

"In the direction towards Mariupol there is an increasing number of armed artillery, weapons, and live forces of the oponent with the goal of possibly attacking the city of Mariupol," he stated at a briefing on Saturday in Kyiv. He noted that in the last 24 hours the fighters shelled the positions of ATO almost along the whole line of demarcation and conducted an unsuccessful attempt to storm them in the area of Shyrokyne Village. "During the last 24 hours, the fighters continued to shoot the positions of the ATO forces practically along the whole stretch of the line of demarcation," he stated. According to Lysenko, particularly intense remain the armed provocations from the side of the fighters in the Yasynuvatskyj area of the Donetsk region. "This is around the villages of Pisky, Doslidne, Vodiane, and Tonenke. In doing this, they actively utilize mines as well as reactive artillery of fire volleys and tanks," explained the ATO Spokesperson and also noted that there are continued provocations in the area of Shyrokyne Village. "Fighters with mines, grenades, and rifles, attacked the positions of ATO forces 10 times and were unsuccessful in storming it," reported Lysenko. Also the lietenant informed that the forces of ATO in the Debaltsev direction, are regrouping and are consolidating on new defensive positions. ATO Speaker provided information that in the Luhansk region,"Russian-terrorist groupings exhibited activity and attacked from the reactive systems of the gun volley 'Hrad' the area of the city of Popasne and the strong point of our soldiers and actually the city." Also, he informed, that in the last 24 hours, there were traced 16 enemy BPLA flights directed toward Mariupol, Donetsk, and Luhansk. "We note that most of the unmanned flights appear in the skies within 30 minutes after shooting has ceased," added Lysenko.

What's happening in Ukraine and why you should care

Our dangerous historical moment

UK – Lords report on Ukraine-Russia conflict

P.S.: Please spread this appeal as much as possible.