Kia ora <<First Name>>,

Earlier this year, you kindly donated to ShelterBox New Zealand's Emergency Response Appeal for Ukraine. Thank you so much. As we head toward the end of the year, I wanted to get in touch again to say how grateful we continue to be to you, for your generous support.

As a donor to our Ukraine Emergency Appeal, it's important to us at ShelterBox New Zealand that you know how your support has made a difference. The first phase of our response is nearing its completion. This saw us work with two different partners to distribute 12,000 mattresses to people living in ‘collective centres’ throughout western and central Ukraine.

We also supported people still within Ukraine living in buildings damaged by the conflict with our ShelterKits. These kits contained a variety of tools, tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, water carriers, buckets, solar lights, and hygiene kits.

We have also been providing refugees arriving at the border in Moldova with a portable assistance package, including hygiene items and cash for 4,000 individuals.

As we move into the second phase of our response, we are focusing on supporting people within Ukraine to prepare for the winter months ahead. As you may remember from when this conflict began, winters are bitterly cold in Ukraine. 

Our aim is to support 2,000 households with emergency repair kits (including tarpaulins, batons and fixings to seal doors and windows), as well as winter jackets, hats, gloves, blankets, and solar lights.

This aid has arrived in our warehouse in Kyiv, and we will be prioritising rural and suburban communities where people are still living in damaged houses.

At ShelterBox, we believe that shelter aid can cut through the chaos of disaster. More than just walls and a roof, shelter is a foundation for life, for family, and for community. The emergency shelter your donation has supplied has played a vital role in helping people in Ukraine rebuild their lives and find hope after their darkest days. 

Tatyana, who lives in Ukraine, is one person who has benefited from your help firsthand. Earlier this year, her family lost everything in the conflict. While Tatyana doesn't know what the future holds, her ShelterBox aid items - which were distributed by our partner ReliefAid, have helped her find hope, and rebuild her home "little by little".

“Thanks to the people who help. You try not to lose heart. Believe that everything will be fine, that you can handle it. I am grateful to these people for their help, for opening their hearts to people and helping", Tatyana says.

"We are building ourselves, with our own efforts and help from volunteers. The house is covered with your [ShelterBox] tarpaulin. We cover ourselves with the blanket, I think it will keep us warm for a very long time".

As the Ukraine conflict continues, ShelterBox is proud that through the support of generous people like you, we can continue to help provide much needed shelter and humanitarian aid. The impact of this conflict on Ukrainian families is grave and immense, with the UN now estimating over 12 million people have had to flee their homes. As the conflict continues, the people of Ukraine continue to need our help. 

Once again, thank you so much for your donation. Your generosity and kindness is transforming the lives of people like Tatyana.  

Finally, I wanted to let you know that our virtual Christmas Gift Shop is now open.

This year, 120 million people around the world will be spending Christmas without a home. Our Christmas Gift Shop is a great opportunity to pay it forward to someone in need, while honouring someone special in your life.

1. Pick a life-changing gift from our virtual shop
2. We’ll send you an eCard to pass on to the recipient which explains the impact of your gift
3. Your gift will fund emergency shelter needs worldwide, enabling us to provide shelter and hope to families who have lost their home due to disaster or conflict