Help getting medical supplies from NYC to Ukraine

New York City NY

Description

I’m interested in organizing a humanitarian relief effort with a focus on medical supplies for Ukraine. I’m looking at items which can be transported from the US into Ukraine and have the greatest impact in the smallest possible packages. While I’d love to consider formula and diapers, unfortunately they’re bulky and I'm leaning towards more volume efficient parcels like insulin and antibiotics. Two questions: How can I solicit donations of these goods? And what other items (I.E. surgical supplies) should be considered? I’m also looking to assemble a team of at least two other people to join me. The obvious reason being the more people the more things we can take over, but I’d also like to make it a little more fine-tuned than that. Specifically, anyone with documentary, social media, and/or crowdfunding skills. What I'm envisioning is going over there to help with what we can initially, and then returning with items that are in shorter supply as needs are identified. The idea is that as a smaller outfit, we can meet more intimate and urgent goals than a larger organization like the Red Cross would be able to. The ideal scenario would involve establishing a distribution network of reliable Ukrainian contacts for a shipment turnaround time of 24 hours, but as this is a war-time situation such a timeframe would be our goal to strive toward. Nevertheless, I think we can get close to it with the right team, and that’s where skill sets come into play. This endeavor calls for drive, determination and near fearless compassion. It also needs to be documented, leveraged on social media and crowdfunded at minimum by airline miles. During the first run the plan is to establish our legitimate humanitarian presence, garner social media interest, and secure more funding for our next trip. Assuming all goes well, there will potentially be a need for someone to serve as point person in Europe to receive larger shipments directly and work as an on-site distribution coordinator. If you think that this might be you, please step to the front of the volunteer line. I’d like to stress that while our international team would essentially be no more than glorified pack mules, it’s domestically where all of the real leg work takes place. If there is anyone who can help coordinate procuring medical supplies, airline points, website design, or even designing a humanitarian relief logo for badges please reach out! Furthermore, and to a much lesser degree of focus, if there is any way to figure out how to help all of the displaced pets I’m all floppy ears. About me: I’m a NYC-based American and can eke out a nominal amount of Polish (I’ve visited the country four times now). I have been to Ukraine before (two weeks), but it was many years ago and I effectively had my hand held the entire way so I really can’t offer much beyond figuring it out as we go along. That said I’m currently in communication with Europeans involved with humanitarian aid distribution so we should have at least a basic assistance framework upon arrival. I should note that I have no medical background at all. Couple of questions: To what degree can our movements be tracked? Should we get European specific phones or can we use our normal American ones. YouTube is obviously the ideal platform to upload content to and potentially livestream to. Is this potentially a way the Russians would be able to pinpoint our location? I’m not too worried about the European Union side of the border, but it seems prudent to have knowledge of the ability to do so if we need to cross it. Lastly, this is not an undertaking for anyone interested in any form of combat. This is a potentially risky humanitarian effort anchored by pacifism and compassion. That said, if you’re at all interested, please also let me know your thoughts about calling ourselves “Ukraine Medical Relief Chain”, “Ukraine Humanitarian Chain” or ideally something even better. Thanks!