ShelterBox ready to send relief to war ravaged Ukraine

SUMMERLAND, Calif. - ShelterBox is preparing aid to the Ukraine population fleeing the Russian invasion now underway.

The Summerland-based nonprofit has emergency shelters ready to go, but for now, it is assessing the needs.

"We are deeply deeply concerned about the human impact of this military action," said spokesman Jeremy Jacobs. "There's reports of people fleeing by foot  fleeing, traffic jams and possibly refugee crisis there."

Poland alone is expecting a million people.

Jacobs says, "there's already an existing humanitarian issue and there's a lot of concern about how this will exacerbate that and the potential to quickly spiral out of control."

The supplies getting set for those in need will be more than shelter tents.     

"So we have cookware , our tent, shelter kits a smaller version that can be customized. We do tarps and tools  and other things depending on what the need it," said Jacobs.

ShelterBox already has trusted resources in Ukraine and nearby countries where the relief supplies can be sent and distributed in a protected way.

This effort will be in coordination with the United Nations and other relief groups such as the Ukraine Red Cross.

The non profit has deep experience working in areas facing a crisis. "We've been in Syria for ten years, we just recently launched a program in Yemen, we are in Ethiopia. These are dangerous places where we take very seriously the security of both our  people and aid."

To donate or learn more go to: ShelterBox