Houstonians collecting medical supplies to donate to Ukrainian soldiers

Several Ukrainians living in Houston band together to collect medical supplies

The donations of medical supplies will be shipped over to Ukraine in an effort to help soldiers and refugees in the ongoing crisis.

HOUSTON - Several Ukranians living in Houston have banded together to collect medical supplies. The donations will be shipped over to help soldiers and refugees in the ongoing war against Russia.

The women have been working with the non-profit World of Connections. The organization focuses on providing humanitarian aid during crises.

There are four different locations across the Houston area where people can drop off supplies or ship items directly from Amazon.

Russian oligarchs are facing a growing number of sanctions

Russia's wealthiest business leaders are scrambling to save their private yachts, as countries begin tracking down these vessels. This week, Russian-owned superyachts have been spotted heading to the Maldives, Seychelles, and Montenegro to avoid capture.

Their goal is to send weekly shipments of medical supplies abroad. The first shipment is expected to go out this weekend.

"We’re going to separate all the supplies in different boxes and take everything to the airport," said Oksana Stevenson, who is helping coordinate the drop-offs. "From Houston, they will deliver to Poland and from Poland, they guys working with us will take everything to the Ukrainian border."

Oksana's brother is one of thousands of Ukranian men 18 and older, who have now enlisted in the war.

"He has two kids and a wife," Oksana said. "And we have a lot of relatives in Ukraine who decided to stay."

How to help support those in Ukraine

Sophia Grinblat, founding director and president of the Russian Cultural Center talks to Isiah about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and what steps can be taken to support those suffering.

The women have been working with the non-profit World of Connections, which focuses on providing humanitarian aid during crises.

"It’s like a nightmare because I can’t believe something like this can be happening in a civilized world," said Anna Angell. "We feel all the support in the world. A lot of countries support us and it helps a lot to know that we’re not alone."

Although thousands of miles away from their family in Ukraine, these families hope their grassroots movement in Houston will make an impact in the fight for their freedom.

The supplies from all four drop off locations will be consolidated into one this weekend to be shipped off abroad.