From NJ To Ukraine: Nonprofit Says War-Torn Nation Is Still Hurting

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A nonprofit based in Essex County continues its efforts to ease the suffering of Ukrainian civilians as war with Russia drags on in Europe.

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in what turned out to be the largest attack on a European country since World War II. The invasion – an escalation of a conflict that has been raging since 2014 – has left an estimated 500,000 military members and civilians dead on both sides, a number that has grown increasingly difficult to confirm as the war continues.

What is certain, however – according to Hope for Ukraine – is that a desperate need for humanitarian aid endures.

The Roseland-based nonprofit has kept a boots-on-the-ground presence in Ukraine since the fighting ramped up two years ago, coordinating delivery drops of supplies and delivering them to people in need across the beleaguered country.

Meanwhile, Hope for Ukraine is also trying to find permanent places to live for Ukrainians who have been displaced by the nonstop warfare that has destroyed their homes and left them homeless.

According to the group’s founder, Yuriy Boyechko, roughly one in three families in Ukraine — about 11 million people — are “food insecure.” Nearly one-third of the population is unemployed, he adds.

Boyechko said that missile attacks have become a near-daily event in Ukraine.

“This war has been going on for almost two years, and on the ground we see a lot of fatigue but high spirits from Ukrainian people,” Boyechko told Patch. “People understand that if they stop pushing back against the Russian army, there will be no Ukraine in a matter of weeks.”

The demand for aid speaks for itself, Boyechko says.

Hope for Ukraine has served 82 million meals, rescued 825 people from war zones, provided medical supplies to 52 hospitals and clinics, delivered 1,875 tons of humanitarian aid supplies, and helped find shelter for 1,544 refugees – and these numbers continue to grow every day the war continues.

Meanwhile, the debate over the United States’ role in providing humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine also continues to see new twists.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate approved a controversial foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel by an overwhelming 70-29 margin. The legislation includes an additional $60.1 billion for Kyiv — which would bring the total U.S. investment in the war effort to more than $170 billion, The New York Times reported.

The aid package faces an uncertain future in the House of Representatives, which would have to approve it before it’s sent to the desk of President Joe Biden, the Associated Press reported.

What would happen if aid to Ukraine dries up? It may ultimately mean that U.S. troops will be put in harm’s way, Boyechko said.

“Without aid from the USA, the Ukrainian army won't be able to hold defense for too long, since we are facing a much stronger enemy that is supported by countries like North Korea and Iran,” Boyechko told Patch.

“If Ukraine falls, Russians will move against Poland and Baltic countries that are part of NATO and then the USA will have to send American soldiers with boots on the ground to fight off Russian invaders,” Boyechko opined.

• See Related: Hope For Ukraine; Essex County Nonprofit Nominated For Award

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