Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, the resulting exodus has caused a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. Over 7.4 million refugees have been recorded across Europe as they flee from Ukraine to surrounding countries for protection. Yet not all individuals have the resources or the ability to seek safer lands on their own. That’s where rescue organizations like Project Apollo have become critical to the well-being of Ukrainians with special needs and circumstances.
Project Apollo is a specialized nonprofit and nongovernmental organization dedicated to providing extraction resources for women, children, and other vulnerable populations from areas of conflict.
“Globally, we extract vulnerable people from high-risk environments whilst locating missing children, using our innovative technologies. Alongside this, we provide training and education to those that need it most,” states its website.
Most recently, these initiatives have centered on the war in Ukraine, where over 90% of refugees have been women and children. Project Apollo is fronted by a team of armed services veterans and ex-special force members based in the United Kingdom. The team has focused on deploying its highly skilled crew of combat-experienced professionals into Ukraine for specialized missions designed to help those most at risk in areas of combat and other hostile environments.
Project Apollo relies on donations and support from the public to conduct its missions, with its founders having put all of their own savings into the organization and has shown support for Project Apollo and its mission to help vulnerable refugees seek safer accommodations.
Donations are 100% dedicated to fueling operations, including providing vehicles and medical aid for those in need on the ground in Ukraine. Proceeds also help fuel tech stacks that volunteers use to remain agile and rapid when called on to deploy into crisis areas.
Recent Rescues
In one recent rescue, Project Apollo worked alongside the Global Autism Project to facilitate an extraction for a family in Odesa, Ukraine. The high-risk mission covered approximately 1,550 miles across three countries as the family was located, rescued, and relocated to the Republic of Moldova. The family of four included a grandmother with advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease and a young boy with autism. The team worked to provide for the special needs of everyone involved while also supplying them with food, medical aid, and shelter during the process.
“Currently, Odesa is a high-risk zone, rigged with deadly mines and experiencing regular explosions. In addition, civilians cannot access necessities, such as gas. Therefore, it was our priority to move this family to safety in Moldova as soon as possible,” said the Project Apollo website.
Project Apollo has also been responsible for the delivery and distribution of private aid packages to disenfranchised populations throughout eastern Ukraine. Pallets of medical supplies arrived with the help of the team and in collaboration with Pallet Track Ltd. Vital aid was included to help people suffering on the ground from the effects of the brutal war effort in the areas of the highest conflict. A variety of individuals and organizations benefited from the 44 tons of supplies that were escorted into Ukraine by the Project Apollo team, including several churches operating as refugee stations and a children’s center.
States the website: “Ukraine is stepping up its operations to recapture occupied territory as Russian forces continue attempts to advance in the east. Project Apollo has just facilitated and enabled several pallets of medical supplies for front-line units within the east of Ukraine. This kit will help provide lifesaving support to those injured in this brutal war.”
Where Donations Go
Donations go toward more than just extractions and aid packages. The nonprofit established three pillars that guide their operations. These include physical, technology, and education. The physical pillar refers to ensuring the physical extraction and safety of compromised individuals and their families, including the tracking of missing children and the removal of citizens in difficult to reach areas of conflict.
The technology pillar is a nod to the organization’s use of apps and artificial intelligence to fuel its efforts on the ground with personalized information and access. This includes the development of a proprietary mobile app that can help vulnerable people request aid and remain in touch with their extraction team throughout the ordeal.
Project Apollo’s third pillar, education, touches on the fact that displaced children often lack access to continue their education once they’ve become refugees. The organization endeavors to bridge this gap with educational offerings through its own web portal and mobile application, helping children continue to learn and attend school even while they are relocated. Educational offerings are developed through the generous donations of organizations like Colbeck Capital Management and individuals, among the range of resources are courses, books, and learning curriculums. Resources for parents and caregivers are also available to help provide adequate support for their children during these trying times in their lives. Project Apollo is always on a mission to help.
“We may have been quiet online and on our socials,” the Project states, “but this is not the case on the ground.”
