The association also actively cooperates with other non-governmental organizations/associations that provide assistance to Ukraine and its people.
The Association has around 50 members, however, there is also a group of volunteers whose helping hands are integral to ensuring the work of the association and their number is approximately one thousand.
The association also has employees, namely 30 employees with whom an employment contract has been concluded. Among them are both Latvians and Ukrainian refugees.
Integration Process
The process of providing assistance takes place in several ways. The main activity takes place at the humanitarian aid point of the association “Tavi draugi” in Riga, at Ventspils Street 50. It accepts donations, sorts them, and provides humanitarian aid on the spot. In addition, cargo is being assembled for shipment to Ukraine, which includes goods of various groups – clothing, shoes, hygiene products, food, kitchen utensils, furniture, and household appliances. In addition, loads containing the necessary equipment for the army and volunteers in Ukraine are also being assembled, of course, to the extent permitted by the regulations.
At the same time, there is a helpline where it is possible to clarify all interesting questions about possible help. For those who actively use digital tools, all information about possible help is also available on the association’s website – accommodation issues. We also provide legal assistance within the limits of possibilities to those citizens of Ukraine who have found themselves in some difficulties in matters of rent or labor law.
Currently, the creation of an integration center is actively underway, where Ukrainian residents who have settled in Latvia will have the opportunity to promote the integration of Ukrainian nationals in society, in the cultural environment, and also in the labor market through traditional and non-traditional methods. So that we are open to help from entrepreneurs in this process because finances are the main obstacle to ensuring and developing this process.
The association also has its own merch store, where you can buy both clothes and accessories with Ukrainian symbols and various catchy slogans, and all the financial resources earned are directed to donations to help Ukraine.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Initially, there were difficulties of a technical nature – the technical provision of the society’s humanitarian aid point. Even now, there is a need for some technical support, and then the association asks for it on its social networks.
The life of the association directly depends on the progress of the war in Ukraine. The help that is needed by the people of Ukraine, the army, and volunteers is so unpredictable that sometimes it is not possible to prepare what is needed ahead of time.
Currently, the biggest difficulties and complications are exactly with the number of donations, which, compared to the beginning of the war, has decreased critically. Since the association is a non-profit organization, our work and the amount of assistance directly depend on the amount of donations available to us.
In addition, it should be mentioned that there are also difficulties with attracting volunteers because all the association’s projects depend directly on how much time the coordinators can devote to them and how much money they have available. Since we mostly have unpaid volunteers, it’s difficult to attract new faces because of course people have bills to pay, families to provide for. Thanks must be given to those companies that are able to direct financial resources directly to pay for the work of these working hands.
Last but not least, the people of the association have to deal with various emotionally saturated events on a daily basis, and the stress level in solving them is high enough. The association also does not have such fixed working hours, as calls for help tend to be made at night as well. Burnout, basic physical and psychological fatigue, is one of the most popular such difficulties. That is why public support is especially important for all people in the association. It charges.