To receive the Luxiders newsletter, sign up here.
How difficult it is to write about sustainability while a war breaks out. The silence of governments, several media and business during the first assaults in Ukraine was deafening. We are all petrified by what is happening. We thought we had learned from the past that violence is never the solution. As bombs continue to fall in Ukraine and thousands of refugees flee the country, what can we do to help?
We have just received a desperate letter from our colleague from Ukraine Fashion Week. We covered the event just a year ago. BE SUSTAINABLE! Fashion Summit, the biggest event dedicated to sustainable fashion development in Ukraine, took place on 7 February 2021, during Ukraine Fashion Week No Season 2021. And now, she is asking us for help! This shows us that what is happening in Ukraine could be happening to any of us today. The fragility of the human being is infinite in situations like the current one. Can anyone remain impassive to what we are seeing these days?
“I’m sure that all of you know the truth about what is happening in Ukraine right now. I’m also sure that you support my country. Today is the seventh day of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and I need to ask for your help.”
Where are you right now and what is your situation?
I was evacuated from Kyiv together with my family on the second day of the Russian invasion to the sounds of air raid sirens and explosions. Currently, I’m in western Ukraine in relative safety. But many of my relatives and friends are still in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine that are under constant attacks of the Russians. My every morning starts with checking how the night was for my loved ones in those locations.
First and foremost, this is not a “situation,” this is Russia’s war against Ukraine. Our president, government, and Army do their best to defend our independent nation. We get constant updates from the president, different ministers, military commanders, city majors, local administration heads, among other officials. We are informed of everything that is happening on the frontlines, the destructions caused by Russia, the steps taken by our leaders and the international community. Our news outlets and journalists do an amazing job collecting and sharing information from all parts of Ukraine almost in real time. I don’t know what is going to happen next, but what I see now is that our country has become extremely united and mobilized, and this unity is our main weapon against the Russian invaders.
You can support Ukraine and its people in lots of ways. Check everything here: https://how-to-help-ukraine-now.super.site/ Also, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created an international news platform with reliable information on the Russian invasion: http://war.ukraine.ua
Where are you right now and what is your situation?
After several nights of sheltering from the explosions in a basement with my husband and our 3 cats in Vyshhorod (Kyiv's northern suburbs), there finally occured a small chance to leave our area without being damaged. We took the risk and left for Lviv in Western Ukraine where it is much safer. Having had a little rest, I've just taken a bus to Poland on my own (with the cats) as men are not allowed to leave the country now, whereas our first priority now is to save our pets from the danger and to resume the brand's work, at least partly.
I'm following a lot of Ukrainian and international media now, to get as much information as possible. As for Ukrainian press, it's providing constant updates with a lot of facts. However, the perspective is completely unknown to me. I can only hope for the better...
I think, the higher the world's awareness of the current events, the higher chances that international polititians will increase their states' support for Ukraine's defence. Also, foreign media seem to be the only means to open Russian people's eyes for what's their authorities are really doing to us and how unimaginably hard and dangerous the reality is for Ukrainian people now.
Where are you right now and what is your situation?
Our colleague Alex Storozhuk, from PR News, also connected with us asking for help: “As you know our roots are coming from Ukraine. It's the native country of our founder and the huge part of the team. And today is the day when we ask you all for support. Please help our native country that was attacked by Russia to stand for its independence! Your likes in social media are also important but now is the time for real action! “.
Alex suggest us to donate to trusted charity foundations helping the country:
Medical Supplies
Helping the Volunteers
Helping the Veterans
Helping Children Affected by War
We want to give importance to what really matters now: the health of others. We can not belong to a sustainable community without contributing to help in this field.
During one week, 100% of the price of our Digital Magazines will go to Doctors Without Borders in Ukraine. Hurry up, donation ends on 13.04.2022!
Through the purchase of the Digital Magazines you will not only enjoy inspirational creativity and sustainable stories one-of-a-kind, but you will help people in Ukraine. Resolving ethical dilemmas requires attention to values. Don’t you think so?
With love and an infinite desire for peace in the world,
Belvis Soler & Jens Wittwer
Founders Luxiders Magazine