Millions of Ukrainians in dozens of settlements are struggling every day to have drinking water, one of the most essential human needs, due to the russian invasion. Russian army destroys everything in its path: shells wells, drops bombs on water mains, destroys networks. People are doomed to drink from puddles, ponds, rivers, melt snow and drain water from batteries and boilers. Such water can bring not salvation and quenching thirst, but on the contrary – diseases, poisoning and danger to life.

To help Ukrainians get access to drinking water The Well Foundation with Wine to Water organization, donated 5,044 water filtration systems to families displaced and under russian attack. These filters can turn even swamp water into drinking water. Our partner in Ukraine – Oxygen – will deliver them to Kharkiv and other settlements in Ukraine where they are most needed.

Ukrainian network engineers are trying to keep the internet and cellular network going amongst the rubble, under shelling, often risking their lives. It’s vital for Ukrainians to stay connected, be able to call relatives, emergency services, and get official information, which in some cases can be lifesaving. 

So the least we could do was to become a partner of the Keep Ukraine Connected initiative by Global NOG Alliance. With Cisco company, we are helping to collect what is needed to keep the internet and essential communication systems up and running, as well as transport the required hardware from America to Lviv, Ukraine. The first delivery of 7.5 tonnes of goods was made on April 13th.

More than 11 million Ukrainians have fled their homes since the russian invasion of Ukraine. About 5 million people are seeking refuge from shelling and bombing abroad, waiting for Ukraine to become a safe place again. They receive a warm welcome, humanitarian aid and support, which is much appreciated. 

Although official programs for Ukrainian refugees to enter the US on humanitarian grounds were announced almost two months into the war, the Well Foundation has been helping Ukrainian families with shelters in America since the beginning of the invasion. We hosted six families, including five children, among Ukrainian immigrants, who are already US citizens. Demidovich, Terentyev, Andrushkiv, Lyudmila, Sidorov, and Hutsol families from Kyiv and Donetsk regions settled mainly in basements or the vacant rooms of their apartments, provided with everything necessary for living and comfortable stay: food, toiletries, towels, bedding, utensils, electrical appliances, etc. 

Here is a story of Andrushkiv family (Bogdan, Olesya, Nicole (3 years old), Martin (1 year old):

My husband came to the United States 10 days before the war. I stayed in Kyiv with my children. My husband wanted to take us to Lviv immediately, but I refused because no one could imagine that a war would break out. I promised Bohdan that I would pack an alarming suitcase with documents, children's warm clothes, medicine and food.I looked at it skeptically, wanting to put everything in its place.

On the night the war started, I woke up to the sound of alarms in the yard of our house, looked out the window, saw a dozen people looking out of the windows, and heard powerful explosions. The brain refused to accept this fact.

It took a few seconds to make a decision. I understand that the day before 11-month-old son had a fever, and I was alone with the children, yet I decided to go to Lviv. It took us 30 minutes to leave for Lviv.

The road seemed difficult, but we got to Lviv alive and unharmed. Then we moved to Poland, and flew from Poland to the United States. During this time, Bogdan was offered housing for us. 
We live in the family of the pastor of Living Water Church. We were given a basement to stay in with two rooms, kitchen, bathroom and game room. We were helped with food, hygiene products, baby food, things, because we took almost nothing. Now we feel safe.