War in Ukraine – Narbonne: Convoy to warm hearts in Mykolaiv
The humanitarian convoy to Ukraine departed from the Parc des Expositions parking lot this Sunday, November 13, in the morning of Narbonne to the cheers of volunteers from Ukraine.
This Sunday, November 13 at eight o’clock in the morning. The cold is intense, but no one dares to say so, because the temperature will be very low throughout the 2,400 km journey through Europe: Eastern France, Switzerland, Germany, then Poland, Chelm, not far from the border. At the end of the trip, a delegation from the city of Mykolaiv will come to take possession of vehicles and pallets of goods, donations of Occitans.
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Six full semi-trailers, one of them a fire truck and five loaded cars, will be given to the Ukrainians. 14 people from Narbonne Ukraine will return by plane and the truck drivers, professionals hired by another logistics company, will leave.
One last picture before we leave.
In what state of mind do they leave?
“At the same time happy and angry, Ioanna explains, it is a blessing. I want this war to stop, I want the next time I go there to be a wedding, a birthday: a party celebrating life. We experienced the liberation of Kherson as a greater emotion. For us, the withdrawal of Russian troops indicates the withdrawal of the entire country, it is a beginning to victory.”
To the cheers of Narbonne Ukraine members who came to cheer them on before getting into the cars.
Enthusiastic Annie said she was happy to have a purpose, to accomplish a mission.
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Annik leaves with a lot of emotion: “This is something that has always been in me, when I was little I wanted to work in the humanitarian field, to build. Today I have the opportunity to do this and I did not hesitate for a second when it was offered to me, I know that this gesture will bring people who are really in need, it carries me. I feel very emotional.”
Next to him, 27-year-old Arthur has a sense of sharing “extraordinary adventure”.
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Stephanie felt the need to step out of her comfort zone: “It speaks to the values that I carry, given the scale of the fundraiser, we can only be pleased to carry out this campaign.”
This is the beginning.
Dorothy also did not hesitate to be part of the convoy : “After receiving Ukrainian children in Picou, of course I think of these parents whose son is mobilized, these separated families”.
Evelyn saw it that way “a great experience, the last great human adventure I’ll ever have!”
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Claude himself summarizes: “Ct is the culmination of a feat of filling 6 semi-trailers in one month. We were lucky to be able to offer what we collected to Ukrainians. For me, it is a way to participate in this chain from beginning to end. This awareness and generosity of all partners is incredible.”
If Jean-Luc didn’t go, he was one of the linchpins, making his warehouse in Montredon available. “In 10 days, we filled 1,000 m2 of pallets, which is an outpouring of generosity. We protected sensitive equipment, placed it on pallets and loaded it on heavy trucks. It is a chain where every link counts, like a Rotary wheel. One does not work without the other.”
Gilles, at the beginning of the convoy, touches the result with his finger: “We are making a big donation to Nikolayev, going beyond the list they gave us. These donations are beyond our expectations. We reserved 2 semi-trailers, now we have 6. As we approach winter, this is a spectacle. Extraordinary generosity.”
Ukrainian women visiting Narbonne are also on the trip, here Ioanna Baskina is on the left.
A very long caravan through Europe
Depart from the Narbonne Exhibition Center in Switzerland on November 13, with Germany scheduled to arrive in Poland on Tuesday evening at the Ukrainian border.
The convoy consists of six semi-trailers loaded with equipment and goods, two ambulances, one fire engine, two vehicles offered by the Ariege department, and a vehicle offered by the Eiffage company.
After being transported to Ukraine, the cars will remain in place, with tons of equipment, clothing, medicine and food products in the equivalent of 150 pallets.
Gilles Bourguignon, supported by eleven companies, was heard publicly announcing the idea of a humanitarian convoy at a charity night in the Arena in favor of Ukraine. “Companies faced with damaged boxes donated new tools: all the equipment necessary for daily life for those without shelter, including boards to replace windows broken by bomb blasts,” he said. Agri-food companies, construction companies, medical equipment suppliers, office automation, regardless of their activities, contributed to the convoy. Narbonne hospital donated medical devices. Even a water collection tank was placed on the semi-trailers. An anonymous donor offered a check for 100,000 euros.
