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SCM’s Metinvest and DTEK in coordination with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation continue to support people who keep suffering from the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Saving Lives humanitarian project is gaining momentum to ensure more and more people can feel and benefit from the support. Since its launch, the project team has purchased 2,400 tonnes of food inside and outside Ukraine.

The team faced a challenging task without being given any time for planning or development of scenarios of unfolding situations. They had to respond quickly, address the problems with the headquarters location, procurements and donations of goods and logistics. The government support is of great importance as well: the humanitarian project is being implemented with the support of national authorities, from ministries up to military administrations on the ground.

Slow and steady wins the race

It's obvious that it was the best solution to establish the humanitarian hub in Poland. First, it is a brownfield project that uses Metinvest Poland site. Second, Poland can easily receive humanitarian assistance from the entire Europe. And most importantly, Poland, the Polish people, and the Polish government once again have demonstrated their strong and comprehensive support to the Ukrainian people.

In addition, no mistakes could be made, as this is the humanitarian project where millions of lives are at stake. Our previous experience has come in handy. Saving Lives project is implemented in coordination with Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, which has been helping the regions affected by the war since 2014. Over sixteen years of operation, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has helped eight million people survive, of which 3.5 million were rescued in Donbas.

Currently, one more hub has been opened in Poland. The teams are working round the clock, receiving food and forming survival kits. The ongoing operation of the hub ensures that humanitarian assistance keeps flowing and reaches Ukraine.

“The war is destructive for people: it’s not only dangerous, but it also destroys the supply channels and leads to a humanitarian catastrophe. To support the people in these hard times, the Saving Lives project has purchased 2,400 tonnes of food. This is our contribution to providing Ukrainians with food, and we hope it will help avoid food shortages.

We are grateful to our partners who have already supported our initiative, and we invite everyone to join the project and support the valiant resistance of ordinary Ukrainians to the inhuman hardships of the war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine,” said Oleksandr VYSHNIAKOV, head of the Saving Lives Humanitarian Centre project.

First, Metinvest Group provided funds to the project, but today help is coming from everywhere. Romania, the Baltics, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland have already supported the initiative. We are very grateful to US STEEL KOSICE, JOY GLOBAL POLAND, FILTRAPOL SP. Z.o., Daugavpils Locomotive Repair Plant, Peter Greven Physioderm GmbH, T Machinery A.S, and others.

Our partners provide both food and essential items. Also, they make donations to the Do it Together special charity foundation: https://bit.ly/DoItTogetherFund. We use this money to buy food and medicines and then distribute them among those in need. The customers, partners, charity organisations, and employees of Metinvest Group's European businesses have already joined in providing assistance. By joining efforts, we collected money and goods worth around €500,000.

Operations of the humanitarian project and the foundation are absolutely transparent, and the audit will be conducted in line with all international standards.

Ukrainian hearts support each other

In Ukraine, assistance comes to the distribution hubs based on sites of Metinvest Group's businesses in Zaporizhia, Kryvyi Rih, Kamianske and Dnipro. Volunteers form food packages comprising flour, cereals, sugar, condensed milk, sunflower oil, and canned food. Packages also include medicines and personal hygiene sets, including sets for children.

Regional hubs have already received 100,000 packages, and 140,000 are on the way. Some of them are handed over to the most vulnerable people and those in need, and the rest stock up strategic food reserves for the future. Volunteers receive assistance, form food packages, and distribute them; they work in Zaporizhia, Kryvyi Rih, Avdiivka, and Pokrovsk.