(LifeSiteNews) — The humanitarian aid organization Vulnerable People Project (VPP) has undertaken day-and-night rescue operations in Ukraine to bring supplies to civilians and evacuate women, children, and orphans caught in the crossfire from the front lines. On March 10, part of VPP’s convoy was blasted, narrowly escaping total destruction.
“One of our vans was delivering food,” said Jason Jones, founder and leader of VPP. “After it was bombed you can see food just streamed all across the road. They were hit with artillery. All three of [the men] were injured, and one gentleman is in critical condition with brain injury. One gentleman has already been released, and I believe is driving again. And the other is in the hospital for observation, and he is eager to get back on the road himself.”
In addition to individuals, the organization successfully extracted a school for the blind as well as maternity wards. VPP’s teams bring the rescued either to Poland or Western Ukraine. Jones’ group initially embedded itself into the humanitarian effort by finding existing aid workers who needed supplies and financial assistance to continue their work.
“We found groups of men that had been running their independent rescue operations but with no resources,” said Jones. “And then we stepped in and committed to providing to them all the fuel that they needed, the medical supplies that they needed, and then the additional vehicles that they would need to do their work more efficiently.”
He added, “Right now we are actually looking for an armored ambulance, because we have an American crew of combat medics that are going to some of the most dangerous places in Ukraine and we want to make sure that their protected.”
Jones emphasized that while his group has operations underway in Ukraine, his mission in Afghanistan still continues. “We saw that when the United States left, we were going to have very limited options and were rescuing people,” said Jones, reflecting on the effort. “And then LifeSiteNews came to us, LifeFunder, and said, ‘We put together a fundraiser for you.’ And you raised us so much money that we began to build out our own overland operation. Now we have given food to over half a million people through the winter, food and coal to keep them alive for the winter.
Jones noted that many of those who have received assistance or have reached out to request help tuned in to his interviews. Despite hardship and hazard, his organization remains committed to helping everyone who has asked for aid.
“We have not forgotten you,” he said.
To help with the Vulnerable People Project’s efforts in Ukraine, please visit www.lifefunder.com/helpforukraine.