At the end of February 2022, Mariupol became the epicenter of a brutal and bloody battle, causing its residents to lose contact with each other.
Denis Minin, a Mariupol resident, presenter, journalist, and volunteer, was in Kyiv on February 24, 2022, while his parents remained in Mariupol. Within a few days, communication with them was lost. Determined to rescue his loved ones, Minin began organizing a group of individuals who wanted to reach Mariupol using their transport to save their relatives and friends.
Against all odds, he succeeded. Soon, the first convoy departed from Zaporizhzhia to Mariupol. Fully aware of the high risks and the enemy's cruelty, each volunteer knew they might never return. Despite the danger, they pressed on with their mission.
This was the starting point for the NGO "Vyvezemo". Concerned volunteers united to help evacuate people from the besieged Mariupol. Later, this initiative grew into a large-scale humanitarian effort.
"One of our first buses returned, but the next four were stranded in occupied territory. Two drivers were captured in Olenivka, and one narrowly survived a tank battle, receiving treatment in Donetsk. Our start was bleak, making us question whether to continue," recalls the head of the NGO "Vyvezemo" Denis Minin.
The evacuation efforts were fraught with danger. The risks of crossing borders, the unpredictability and cruelty of Russian forces, and the individual needs and health conditions of the evacuees were all significant challenges.
Despite these difficulties, people joined the NGO "Vyvezemo" team. Over two years, the team grew from 5 activists and 15 volunteers to 9 team members and 25 volunteers, some of whom risked their lives by continuing to live in temporarily occupied territories. The demand for help also increased, with approximately 5.000 people evacuated from Mariupol and the occupied territories in 2022.
Gradually, the number of people seeking assistance grew. Since its inception, the NGO "Vyvezemo" has evacuated 7.000 individuals from Mariupol and temporarily occupied territories. In June 2023, recognizing the need for additional support, Denis Minin reached out to ISAR Ednannia and successfully participated in the "Basic Support for CSOs Working in Humanitarian Response" competition.
This support enabled the team to achieve remarkable results in just six months. From September 2023 to March 2024, NGO "Vyvezemo" evacuated 2.087 people and 207 animals from Mariupol, temporarily occupied, and frontline Ukrainian territories. Additionally, 4.130 Ukrainians in frontline villages of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast received humanitarian aid, including food packages, clothing, hygiene items, and medications. Furthermore, 5.550 internally displaced persons in the Cherkasy Oblast received humanitarian packages, clothing, hygiene items, and medicines.
Ksenia, 25, survived the blockade of Mariupol, but her tattoo made escaping the occupied territory significantly more difficult. In the autumn of 2022, Russian servicemen in Mariupol brutally beat her because they perceived her tattoos as "Nazi symbols."
Fearful of leaving the occupied territory, Ksenia hesitated due to the checkpoints manned by the Russian military, representatives of the so-called "people's republics," and special services, who could notice her tattoos and subject her to violence again. Volunteers from NGO "Vyvezemo" consulted with her, reassured her, and helped her plan a safe route. They used Google to help her understand and explain the meaning of her tattoo. With their support, Ksenia gained the confidence to leave the occupied territory.
In October 2023, Ksenia finally breathed the air of free Ukraine and reunited with her family.
"The cruelty of the enemy is unforgettable. It's my trauma for life. I counted the days until departure, but I was so afraid. 'Vyvezemo' planned and made possible my evacuation. Thank you! I will remember my rescue for the rest of my life," says Ksenia, with tears in her eyes.
The evacuation and assistance project implemented by the NGO "Vyvezemo" is of immense importance to the affected and displaced people, as it has saved the lives of many Ukrainians. Supported by ISAR Ednannia and USAID, the project showcases the courage, determination, and quick self-organization of Ukrainians. After all, their home is Ukraine.
The activities of the NGO "Vyvezemo" are supported by ISAR Ednannia through the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity implemented by ISAR Ednannia in partnership with the Ukrainian Center of Independent Political Research (UCIPR) and Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM). The contents are not the responsibility of ISAR Ednannia and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
