Medicine Shipment for Ukraine Despite Weeks of Blockade by Polish Truckers

Distribution Begins of Friend's of Be an Angel's Largest Medicine Shipment to Ukraine Despite Weeks of Blockade by Polish Truckers

Distribution has begun of our biggest shipment to date. Three trucks containing 16.5 tons of medicine provided by IDA Foundation and sponsored by Give to the World and the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America were delivered late January, yielding a combined 15.6 million doses of antibiotics, pain management, adrenaline, insulin and more.

The first destination started with the cystic fibrosis (CF) department of the Lviv regional children’s hospital, where currently over 100 children with CF are staying. This comes at a desperate time when the EU is facing an extreme antibiotics and reagents shortage, making it significantly more difficult for Ukrainian hospitals to access them.

Additional locations are the hospitals in Uman and Lviv, as well as the Oncology Institute in Kyiv. Dozens of more locations will receive these medical supplies as distribution continues.

Blockade by Polish Trucker Demonstration impeded Delivery of Critical Humanitarian Aid

This comes after weeks of problem solving in which we opened a humanitarian corridor to allow the three trucks to pass through the Polish blockade of the Ukrainian border.

Cargo transit between Poland and Ukraine has been severely disrupted due to ongoing demonstrations by Polish truck drivers at key border crossings. The blockade began on November 6th, with Polish haulers imposing roadblocks in a demand to reinstate entry permits which the EU suspended last year as part of the Solidarity Lanes Initiative. This initiative was introduced to help Ukraine’s struggling export industry after Russia blocked Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports. Polish truckers accuse the initiative of causing a high number of Ukrainian drivers to enter Poland and haul goods from Poland to other countries, thereby undercutting local businesses that cannot match cheaper Ukrainian prices.

Over 3,000 trucks are backed up at the border crossings, with lines reaching up to 30 kilometers. Exhausted drivers are stuck in massive lines on both sides of the border, with expected waiting times reaching over one month at the Yahodyn – Darohusk crossing.

While an unofficial and difficult humanitarian aid corridor has been opened entering the country, the wait times for the same trucks returning has reached up to three weeks. Logistics companies have begun discontinuing humanitarian aid shipments to Ukraine for this reason.

Advanced Wireless donates wi-fi access points to Friends of Be an Angel for schools in Irpin Ukraine

Friends of Be an Angel facilitates donation of 840 Wi-Fi access points to Sister City Irpin

Humanitarian Aid / Friends of Be an Angel

Advanced Wireless donates wi-fi access points to Friends of Be an Angel for schools in Irpin, Ukraine

Pictures by Lee Matz, Milwaukee Independant

A wireless technology firm based in Franklin is contributing more than 820 Wi-Fi access points to the city of Irpin, Ukraine, to aid the local education infrastructure there. Advanced Wireless, Inc. is making this donation to Milwaukee’s sister city, which has seen significant damage to its educational facilities, with 20 schools affected by the ongoing conflict with Russia. These Wi-Fi access points will be set up across the school district, extending connectivity to bomb shelters, hospitals, and government buildings.

To facilitate the shipment of these Wi-Fi access points to Irpin, Friends of Be An Angel, a charitable organization based in Milwaukee that focuses on humanitarian aid to Ukraine, is stepping in to manage logistics. Shipments are expected to begin within two weeks, as stated by Anya Verkhovskaya, Board Chair of Friends of Be an Angel, which has a history of delivering significant aid to Ukraine, including medical supplies and food, amounting to $63 million.

Verkhovskaya praised the partnership with Advanced Wireless and highlighted the impact that businesses can have in providing crucial support during times of need. Morin also emphasized the importance of community support from businesses in the area. Milwaukee’s Mayor, Cavalier Johnson, acknowledged the contributions and stressed the importance of continuing to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

“We are very proud to work with Advanced Wireless,” Verkhovskaya said. “Darryl’s leadership showed us today that one business can make the difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Anya Verkhovskaya

Advanced Wireless’ leadership showed us today that one business can make the difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Donation part of ongoing grant program at Advanced Wireless

This donation is part of a larger initiative by Advanced Wireless to support educational technology, with the company having already invested over $2.5 million in Southeastern Wisconsin through its wireless schools initiative grant program. Though the exact financial details of the donation to Irpin remain undisclosed, Morin described it as a significant investment.

Halyna Salapata, president of Wisconsin Ukrainians, recognized the donation as a crucial support for Ukrainian education, noting the extensive recovery and construction needs of the country. She highlighted the increased demand for internet access for education due to limited physical learning spaces.

Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn expresses his thanks

Irpin’s Mayor, Oleksandr Markushyn, expressed his gratitude for the support from Milwaukee, emphasizing the strength of the partnership between the cities during challenging times. He noted the displacement of approximately 25,000 people in Irpin, the highest in the Kyiv region, and reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to fighting for democracy and freedom.

Consul of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago Koledov Serhiy, who also spoke virtually, said this effort shows “how sistership relations can be used effectively.”

“Your help is invaluable,” he said.

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