From July, you can donate for humanitarian aid shipments to Ukraine at Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs)

From 1 July to 31 December this year, funds donated to Ukraine by Latvian people at RVMs will be directed to the charity association Tavi Draugi for humanitarian aid shipments to Ukraine. 

As part of the “Donate Your Deposit” initiative, until the end of the year residents have an opportunity to return their beverage packages at RVMs across Latvia and, by choosing the option to donate the accumulated funds to support Ukraine, redirect the accumulated deposit fees for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Humanitarian aid is sent to civilians and evacuees from occupied territories, as well as to hospitals, military hospitals and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.    

Miks Stūrītis, Chairman of the Board of Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators SIA: “In a year and a half, RVMs have proven their potential as a convenient, efficient and accessible donation platform, with citizens having donated more than half a million euro to charity to date. Support for Ukraine is one of the most frequently requested aims of donations, accounting for 36% of all donations. This shows that we, Latvians, not only care about the environment, but also actively support those in need. Appreciating the noble cause of Tavi Draugi activities, all the funds donated to Ukraine at the RVMs will be redirected to humanitarian aid during the next six months. I would like to encourage people to continue to be as active in donating their RVM deposit fees because together we can help so many people!”

The association Tavi Draugi procures humanitarian aid at the request of Ukrainian charity organizations and military units, drafts all the necessary documentation and delivers the shipments to the recipients in Ukraine, either by themselves or through partner organisations.

“Delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine, to the places where it is most needed, is a complex, time-consuming, expensive and dangerous process. There are many needs, they change seasonally and depend on the course of the war. No shipment to Ukraine is transported at random; shipments are carefully planned and are eagerly expected everywhere in Ukraine and especially on the front line.  Since February 2022, we have sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine worth around EUR 7 million. Up to now, there has always been shortage of funds to cover transport costs, so we are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to receive the necessary funding from the deposit system platform,” says Ulvis Noviks, head of the association Tavi Draugi.