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New Zealand Ambulance Attacked During An Evacuation Now On Display In Central Kyiv
One of two New Zealand ambulances attacked by Russian drones this year is now on display in central Kyiv as a stark reminder of war crimes committed against civilians and humanitarian organisations.
‘Aroha’, meaning love, is one of 38 decommissioned ambulances, all named in Te Reo Māori, and delivered into service in Ukraine by New Zealand charity Kiwi K.A.R.E, and one of two attacked by Russian drones near the frontlines since June.
“We operate in areas where Ukrainian civilians are in great need and are often without power and water due to constant attacks on housing and infrastructure,” says Kiwi K.A.R.E founder, Tenby Powell.
“Consequently, the risk of drone attacks is very high. Aroha was hit in the Kherson region in June and has been written off, and Kaha, meaning strength, was hit in the Donetsk region in August and is still under review.”
All the ambulances are part of the ‘Road-of-Life’ outreach programme, a partnership between New Zealand humanitarian organisation Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation (Kiwi K.A.R.E) and four Ukrainian NGO’s based in key areas throughout Ukraine.
“Road-of-Life symbolises the partnership between Ukrainian and New Zealand humanitarian organisations - united across the world to save lives during this terrible war”, says Oleg Kuptsov, Chairman of Ukrainian Day by Day Foundation.
“We are very grateful to the people of New Zealand for their love and meaningful support”.
Since May 2022, 5,500 evacuations and patient transfers have been conducted by Road-of-Life teams, often under dangerous frontline conditions.
Road-of-Life focuses on evacuating civilians, conducting hospital transfers, and transporting people with disabilities, or limited mobility, who cannot reach medical care on their own.
“Due to the incredible support by thousands of New Zealanders, we have been able to quickly replace these vehicles with decommissioned Finnish ambulances sourced recently”, says Powell.
“It stands as a reminder of the cost of rescue missions and the courage of volunteers who risk their lives in the service of the people of Ukraine during an illegal full-scale war”.
For more information or to contribute, visit www.kiwikareukraine.co.nz or click on this link to donate: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/kiwi-kare-ukraine-kiwi-aid-and-refugee-evacuation
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