In north-east Ukraine, a small truck emblazoned with a jumping kangaroo delivers moments of hope to the most vulnerable. Behind the wheel is an Australian oil rigger.
In north-east Ukraine, a small truck emblazoned with a jumping kangaroo delivers help to the most vulnerable — and an Australian is behind the wheel.
I donated and sent Dan a message saying that I might come over to catch up and document the work he is doing. Within a month my ticket was booked. I flew out on January 1.When Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, it triggered an emotional response that galvanised the international community. And with close to eight million displaced people in a population of just over 40 million, the importance of their work can't be underestimated."I saw Ukrainians affected by the war in the first week. They couldn't rationalise why this was happening to them. Witnessing the images of helpless elderly and women being run over by tanks in Kyiv was the clincher. There was no reason for this to happen. It infuriated me," he said.
The plan was to head to Bakhmut — a heavily contested frontline town in Donetsk Oblast. Five drops were to be made. There were talks of Kiwi volunteer Andrew Bagshaw, who was reported missing while running medical evacuations in Soledar, which had just come under Russian control.An idea was floated by Tenby Powell of Kiwi Kare to drive within a few kilometres of Soledar and fly a drone over the area Andy was last seen in to try and locate his car.
Earlier in the trip, I had asked Ritchie — a social worker from Queensland who runs Davaj Ukraine operations in Rusty's absence — why he was here.It was a common sentiment among foreign volunteers. Jason — who runs Canada Way, a team of three who work with Rusty — served in the military and sold his house so he could stay in Ukraine and continue to help.
Five kilometres before the last checkpoint bordering Bakhmut we stopped to put on Kevlar vests and helmets.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia fires another missile barrage at Ukraine as Australian Parliament shows support for UkraineRussia has again pummelled Ukraine with a barrage of cruise and other missiles, hitting targets from east to west as the war's one-year anniversary nears. 9News
Read more »
Australians are ‘losing faith’ in the Albanese governmentShadow Climate Change and Energy Minister Ted O’Brien says no modelling has been done on the safeguard mechanism reform, which Labor thinks is its “signature policy”. “It will drive up prices for consumers, and it puts both jobs and businesses at risk,” Mr O’Brien told Sky News Australia. “To think that you would take your signature policy - changing climate and energy in this country – to the parliament without having done the modelling is absolutely reckless. “You can see why Australians are losing faith in this government.”
Read more »
Selection unclear for second Test as Australians sweat on Green’s fitnessAustralia were sweating over the fitness of all-rounder Cameron Green on Thursday night with the mystery over their XI revealing the uncertainty within the camp.
Read more »
Revealed: the areas where Australians are struggling to access free GP careExclusive: Data shows low bulk-billing rates in affluent Sydney suburbs as well as several regional electorates and Tasmania
Read more »
Australia's unemployment rate rose to 3.7 per cent in JanuaryThe figures narrowly surprised market expectations, which were largely pricing in no change to the unemployment rate. 9News
Read more »
Australia's unemployment rate rose to 3.7 per cent in JanuaryThe unemployment rate rose to 3.7 per cent in January as the number of unemployed Australians grew by 22,000. 9News
Read more »