At the hacker conference WHY2025 we had the chance to explain why we started Aid to Ukraine and what keeps us going. All talks are recorded, so we can share this one here. Ron and Niels talk about the network, the role of the community in organising the aid, how the foundation came about, and how you can help.
The Dutch Angry Nerds Podcast covers our project regularly, for which many thanks. This episode answers an important question: what do you do when you have equipment left over? They explain how donating works (get in touch, for instance at more@aidtoukraine.nl), what you can expect (we are glad to come to you) and what is left for you to do (decide what you want to part with). Office equipment such as laptops, desktops, monitors, servers and network gear is all welcome, and gets a good second life through our contacts in Kharkiv.
HackerHotel 2025 gave us the chance to explain how we help the people of Kharkiv from the Netherlands, and of course to raise funds. The talk by Roman and Niels was recorded and can be watched online. It gives a clear picture of the situation there, of the work during evacuations and after shelling. It puts a face to the news about Ukraine. That does not make it easier to take in, but it does make it more human.
The Dutch healthcare magazine FMT Gezondheidszorg published a fine interview with Ruben Hoogenberg of Almeva and with Ron and Niels. Faced with the commitment of Almeva and all the ambulance stations, modesty suits us. Their help is part of why the medics there can save lives. We regularly get messages from families or from the people themselves: small scale help is warmly welcomed and ends up in the right hands.
Roman spoke at Hack42 about life in Kharkiv. People have organised themselves in order to keep going. Together with some 250 others in the ETOC foundation, Roman arranges relief supplies, helps out after shelling, carries out evacuations and keeps the city running. It is striking to hear how much courage and energy it takes when your city is under attack, how much all help is valued, and how badly it is needed. We can barely imagine it, and at the same time it is very close to home.
Roman teaches mathematics in Kharkiv and volunteers with ETOC, the organisation we work with closely. Everyone in the city pitches in. Roman is in the Netherlands to collect a vehicle loaded with supplies, and has time to talk about what is happening in his city and in his community. The evening is hosted by Hack42 in Arnhem, a hackerspace that has contributed to our work for years.