The Support the Army of Ukraine (EuroArmyMaydan) initiative was initially organized as a group to support Crimean soldiers in the first days of Russian invasion. They worked in a simple way: delivered food and water to the units, topped up cell phone accounts. After attacks on the military units they organized transportation of Ukrainian soldiers out of the Crimean Peninsula.
As the conflict evolved, it became obvious that the army will not get through without the help from volunteers. Government’s initiatives on army supply turned out to be delayed and inefficient due to bureaucratic hurdles and un-eradicated, inherited corruption.
The first brigade equipped by the group EuroArmyMaydan – later the group Support the Army of Ukraine was opened – was the 30th individual mechanized guard brigade. Having developed a logistical process to aid the soldiers, Anna Sandalova, one of the group’s founders, gave it to everyone who wrote on her Facebook page.
“The problems are the same in all units. Therefore the algorithm is as follows: we have to get the primary problems of an individual military unit, make a clear list of priorities, announce it publicly, and within two-three days we can find help – some will give it with money, some – with goods, and some will offer services. After completing the project it is imperative to report,” advises Anna Sandalova.
As of now, Support the Army of Ukraine initiative has over 7,000 members and a wide network of volunteers. Besides Kyiv, there are nine more cities in Ukraine were the representatives of this initiative are based: Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolayiv, Ivano-Frankisvk, Uzhhorod, Lutsk and Lviv. From the start of Crimea occupation and throughout the Antiterrorist campaign in Eastern Ukraine our volunteers have jointly arranged critical supplies, medicines and equipment worth over UAH 5 million to Ukrainian army.
This group’s founders have also registered a charitable/non-profit foundation in Ukraine called “Support the Army of Ukraine”, as well as non-for-profit civil organization “Patriot” aimed to drive and transform volunteer support of Ukrainian army into official channels.
One of the Fund’s priorities is to supply the medical centers of the Antiterrorist campaign in Eastern Ukraine, particularly the EMS, which are not available in Ukraine, such as highly efficient blood clotting agents (Celox, QuikClot etc.), bandages (Israeli emergency bandages, H-bandages etc.), combat application tourniquets, IFAKs, medical rucksacks and other critical first-aid medical equipment and devices. The group coordinates its activities in their FB group where regular updates on army needs are posted. In June 2014 they also opened a USA-based group to promote the needs for supplies only available outside of Ukraine.
Anyone outside of Ukraine can support the Ukrainian soldiers in their fight against terrorism by either giving a donation or ordering an emergency medical supply. Donations can be made by either SWIFT payment or Paypal:
- SWIFT payment – donation for critical needs of the soldiers
BENEFICIARY: Charitable fund HELP THE ARMY OF UKRAINE
BENEFICIARY`S BANK: COMMERCIAL BANK PRIVATBANK
SWIFT: PBANUA2X
ACCOUNT: 26004052734648 (USD)
IBAN: UA683007110000026004052734648
BANK-CORRESPONDENT: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK
SWIFT: CHASUS33
CORR.ACCOUNT: 001-1-000080
- Paypal – specific donation for purchase of blood clotting agents
Recipient: [email protected]
Purpose: Ukrainian Army
- Paypal – donation for critical needs of the soldiers
[email protected] Money transfer for friends
- Should you wish to order medical supplies shipped to a designated US address or directly to Ukraine, please contact the group at [email protected]
- Join the group on FB to get updates on further developments
UA group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/EuroArmyMaydan/
USA group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/EuroArmyMaydanUSA/
