More than a month since the first bombs fell, a Chatham-based humanitarian organization is continuing its efforts to assist citizens in war-torn Ukraine.
The Loads of Love Humanitarian Aid and Mission Society has been collecting items and monetary donations to send to its team on the ground to help the people of Ukraine during the illegal Russian invasion.
Overseas director Ed Dickson, who lived in Ukraine for 25 years before returning to Canada, has been impressed with the generosity he’s seen so far but noted there’s still much work to do.
“We have been going 100 miles per hour for a month,” he told The Daily News. “It’s just unbelievable. …I used to think I was busy before this happened.
“When people’s lives are on the line, it just increases your adrenaline. For me, because I’ve spent over 25 years there, it’s my home.”
Load of Love, which offers various programs, as well as supports for orphans and children with special needs, has 40 full-time workers in the country.
Since the invasion, helping people get to safety has become a critical task for those involved.
“In Kharkiv, we’ve already evacuated 500 people out of bomb shelters in that area,” Dickson said. “We’ve purchased eight vehicles in Ukraine … which are taking food into those dangerous areas and running people out.”
Overall, they’ve helped move nearly 1,000 orphans, with the help of other organizations and governments, to safer areas within Ukraine, as well as nearby countries such as Poland, Romania, Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey.
“Everybody’s working together right now just to do our best,” he said.
Throughout the Russian invasion, Dickson has been in close contact with his organization’s leaders since communication and supply channels, at the moment, remain open.
The organization sent one container of supplies before the hostilities started. Another is on its way, with food aid and medical supplies. Two more are set to be loaded up this week.
Dickson called this crucial aid, saying that some people there have gone days without food.
“I’m seeing the real Canada. This is who we are,” he said. “When some other part of the world is in trouble, we step up. It’s the genuine Canadian spirit of helping others.”
Given his farming background, Dickson initially traveled to Ukraine for an agricultural conference and fell in love with the country.
He said he’s heartened by the fight he’s seen from the locals against their attackers.
“Most people in the world can look at the amount of soldiers and equipment and arms that the Russian army has,” he said. “It’s not even comparable. The fact that (Ukrainians) are holding them back is just a complete miracle. It really is.
“Ukrainians, they know how to deal with crisis because they’ve lived through so many. For some reason, they just have this ability to adapt to things. … I truly believe that the leadership of Russia thought it was going to be much quicker.”
For more information on the organization, or to donate, visit www.loadsoflove.org.