Local organization hoping to ship essential donations to Ukrainians in need

Following the overwhelming number of donations given by the Ottawa community over the weekend, the next step is getting most of the donations out to the people of Ukraine. 

Cassian Soltykevch, the National Secretary at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), says it was great to see the community pull together and collectively donate as much as they did. But, he explained to The Rob Snow Show on Monday, March 7, that it's the essential items and monetary donations that are most needed. 

“It was prioritized and the most [things] being anything that can [be] used for medical supplies, first aid supplies—essentials that people can use, so tents, sleeping bags and things like that,” he explained. “Those are first things [that] are being sent—those were put on the truck late yesterday and shipped to Toronto and then they'll be put on a plane tomorrow.” 

He says clothing is not essential right now, but the goal is to try to ship out those essential to the people on the ground as quickly as possible, which he says should arrive by the end of the week.

As for the shipping challenges, he says there's no logistical challenges in most of the country, but there could be certain cities in Ukraine that are facing difficulties. Those are worked out on a day-by-day basis. 

The organization is also preparing for Ukrainians who may choose to re-locate to Canada, or Ottawa. He says that he's heard from residents who are willing to give up their homes in some cases. He adds that he's glad to see that outreach from different people so far. 

“We're not, of course, sure how many people are coming and when they're coming and if they're coming to Ottawa, but we're getting ready for that,” he said.

 “We're collecting that info just so that we're prepared as soon as we hear word of anyone coming to Canada, we can be ready to go and hit the ground running as soon as they get here.” 

You can listen to the Cassian Soltykevch's full conversation below: