Racing Against Time

Critical Partnerships on Ukraine's Frontlines

When Shahed drones exploded within a quarter mile of the Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Sloviansk, Steve Hodgson and his team kept working. A hospital needed to be evacuated, and they were the only ones there to do it.

Steve Hodgson of Carna NGO has completed over 30 trips since the full-scale invasion began, transporting more than 700 tons of aid. He's helped us evacuate frontline households and move critical infrastructure to safety, including our partner's 200-bed evacuation shelter.

2,000 Miles in Two Days

This week, Steve evacuated the Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Sloviansk. When he arrived for the first load, Shahed drones flew overhead. The team worked quickly.

The hospital's equipment needed to reach Fastiv—500 miles away. Two trips would be required. Steve drove through the night to complete the first delivery and return.

When he arrived for the second load, fresh drone strikes had just hit. Impact sites smoldered. Windows and doors were blown out, and equipment was tossed around inside. They completed the loading without incident, but had they arrived an hour earlier, they might have been casualties.

In 48 hours, Steve drove over 2,000 miles. We funded his fuel and maintenance costs, with additional support from Doctors Without Borders.

The Power of Partnership

Our work depends on partners like Steve who can respond immediately when critical help is needed. We fund fuel, maintenance, and repairs for their vehicles, allowing us to react quickly together. Other than Ukrainian organizations, few international NGOs focus on the Donetsk Region—the most vulnerable area in Ukraine. Partnerships like ours with Steve Hodgson make this possible. When seconds count, and the work is dangerous, having trusted partners who will answer the call is the difference between lives saved and lives lost.