Dungannon man preparing for mercy mission to Ukraine

A DUNGANNON man is preparing to travel over to Ukraine and set up a ‘field kitchen’ in the country devastated by war.

Andrius Zubernis who is originally from Lithuania, has already helped to send two lorry loads of donations to help those forced to flee their homes.

Now, the 37-year-old, is appealing for kitchen supplies as part of his mercy mission to Lviv in the coming weeks.

While the western city Lviv has been seen a place of sanctuary in Ukraine, with thousands flocking from other parts of the country, the city has also been targeted by Russian attacks in recent days.

Despite this, Andrius said he was not afraid of travelling to the city.

“We have been given assurance as we are delivering aid and also I have friends there in Lviv, so yes I will feel safe. I’m not afraid, not yet anyway. I am hoping to go over in the next week or two, it depends on supplies and getting a driver,” he said.

The father-of-two who has lived in the North for the last 16 years said he hears first-hand reports of tragedies and devastation from his friends in Ukraine on a daily basis.

“As I am from Lithuania, I have many friends who are in Ukraine and other friends who are Ukrainian. It is really terrible, and it’s getting worse as the attacks go on. Every day, I hear reports, and get updates about what is happening, when the bombs and missiles land. Sometimes I hear about it before it is on the news.

“The people over there really need lots of help. There are people dying every day and we want to help.”

Andrius who is opening his own bakery shop on William Street in Dungannon later this year, is in the process of getting charitable status for his relief effort – Zega Support Fund – helped by Mid Ulster Councillor Denise Mullen.

Appealing for donations of kitchen utensils, as well as fridges and hobs, Andrius said volunteers in Lviv are working to produce up to 1,500 life saving meals per day.

“These meals are cooked and then dried using special dehydrating ovens. Once packed they are transported to some of the worst affected areas where they can be reconstituted by the simple addition of boiling water. These meals save lives in areas where people are dying. Areas that have been totally devastated. Areas where thousands have been left without electricity or food.”

He added, “Yes people here have been great, very generous with food and clothes. But sometimes there are (social media) comments which I have to delete, sometimes from local people, sometimes from people who say there is no war, or that it’s not that bad, or that it is Ukraine who started the war, they are brainwashed.

“There are so many people here in Dungannon who know people in Ukraine and I keep making new connections all the time and finding out more information.”

Mid Ulster Councillor Denise Mullen said she felt compelled to help, after speaking to some of the many eastern European families living and working locally.

“There has been so much generosity already and we have managed to fill two lorries of aid which are already away out to the refugees,” said the Aontú councillor.

“But as this war continues, the need for help continues to grow. These people have lost everything, it’s hard to imagine. I have spoken to quite a few people, particularly Lithuanians, who have family and friends in Ukraine who may have been injured or had their homes destroyed. It’s heartbreaking to see these grown men with tears in their eyes. It really brings it home and in some ways reminds me of what we went through here with the Troubles.”

For anyone who would like to donate to Andrius’s mercy mission – visit the Zega Support Fund group on Facebook.