Water Mission Saves Lives in Ukraine With Support From FedEx

Authored by Water Mission

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / It's been just over two years since the Russian military invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Although fighting continues at an alarming rate, the world's attention has been drawn to additional emergent humanitarian crises. Much less is reported about this ongoing war, yet the struggle to find water, food, shelter, and safety remains a daily challenge for more than 14 million people.

As aid funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is diminishing and many organizations are leaving Ukraine, Water Mission remains committed to strengthening efforts to provide safe water to people in need. Thanks to the ongoing cash and in-kind transportation support from FedEx, nearly 100,000 people in more than 200 communities in southeastern Ukraine have access to lifesaving safe water. Water Mission has more than 70 safe water systems established, including a mix of fixed and mobile safe water systems. As the war continues, the demand for safe water will increase.

Water Mission Project Manager and Global Emergency Coordinator Craig Williams has been living in Ukraine and working to bring safe water to those in need throughout this conflict. He shares an insider's perspective on the realities of life in a war zone and how Water Mission and its supporters like FedEx are saving lives through the provision of safe water.

Reflections by Craig Williams
Life in a War Zone

People are tired and living with more uncertainty than they ever imagined was possible. Families have been split up. Many of the men who have managed to find jobs are in constant fear of being sent to training camp. Sadly, everybody seems to know somebody who has died in this war. Conversely, you also see life in Kyiv and Lviv trying to blossom. Young people hang out in shopping malls, and parents push children in strollers or walk their dogs. Then the air alarm goes off, reminding you that life isn't normal. But the parents pushing the strollers or playing with their kids don't even change the pace at which they walk. The sirens are their new normal. People look at apps to self-assess the risk and then move on like nothing is happening.