Alliance seeks generators for Ukraine
25 January 2023
As freezing winter temperatures grip Eastern Europe, the humanitarian need in Ukraine is more urgent than ever. In response, following several highly successful campaigns in 2022, the Plant & Hire Aid Alliance have launched their latest appeal, called Power to Ukraine, in association with Rotary International. The ambitious appeal aims to send no fewer than 10,000 urgently needed generators to Ukraine.
Following repeated attacks on the power grid and other critical infrastructure, many Ukrainians get just three hours of electricity per day, at a time when temperatures rarely rise above freezing. Winter temperatures in the capital, Kyiv, can reach as low as -4°C in the daytime and -11°C at night, putting thousands of lives at risk.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky said that generators had become “as important as armour in helping Ukraine to survive this winter”. Addressing an emergency conference in Paris, he described the latest Russian bombardment as “blackout and energy terror”, creating a desperate situation that has left as many as 12 million Ukrainians without power to heat their homes in the depths of winter.
The Plant & Hire Aid Alliance says that by donating to the Power to Ukraine appeal, individuals and organisations can make a real difference.
“A donation of £270 is enough to buy and send a generator to Ukraine, to help keep these families warm,” said Jeremy Fish, the CEO of Ardent Hire which set up the Alliance. “This includes the elderly, as well as small children and babies, who are at serious risk from the cold. We have all recently experienced the misery of bitterly cold weather, but just imagine going through that with no power for heating. It doesn’t bear thinking about.
“Working with Rotary International, we’re appealing to colleagues across the UK and around the world to join us to help reach this ambitious target of 10,000 generators,” he said.
To ensure that the generators reach those in the greatest need, the Alliance is working with the 69 Rotary Clubs across Ukraine, which will help distribute the generators and confirm that they have only been provided directly to those intended.
“This not only maximises the impact of the campaign, but also gives our generous donors the reassurance that their contribution is making a real difference,” says Jeremy.
The Alliance has also created a website where the aid workers will register each recipient including the details of the family or group, along with a declaration that the generator is being used as intended.
For donors located in the UK, Gift Aid will add a further 25 per cent to a donation at no extra cost. To find out more and to donate, please visit the Alliance website see the Just Giving page or email ukraine@ardenthire.com
