Advertisement
News

Ukraine’s gig economy workers are now delivering food for a homeless charity

Depaul International has enlisted the help of former takeaway cyclists to deliver food to help people in need in Ukraine.

A homelessness charity has enlisted former gig economy cyclists to deliver food to starving people in remote areas of Ukraine.

Depaul International has been supporting people made homeless or displaced by Russia’s invasion in the country. The charity has even brought in people it used to help before the conflict to support others who are sheltering in makeshift bomb shelters in Kharkiv and Odesa.

The latest innovation is targeting people around Kharkiv, according to Father Vitaliy Novak, chair of Depaul Ukraine. Novak is leading the charity’s humanitarian response in the country and has spent the last two months driving trucks packed with aid across Ukraine.

A team of six cyclists approached Depaul to deliver food to people who need it and now deliver food twice a week, getting meals into the hands of 100 people in a month.

“People can’t imagine not receiving aid from Depaul. It has been 72 days of not being able to leave their homes or bomb shelters,” said Novak.

“I’m proud that people say Depaul’s food is fresh and tasty. They also know we are coming regularly, as they need food every day.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement
Ukraine Depaul International
The innovative scheme is part of Depaul’s humanitarian response to get hot meals to people sheltering in makeshift city bomb shelters, homes and in the countryside. Image: Depaul International

“Our latest innovation is working with cyclists who used to deliver food for companies like Uber. They are now delivering food to the poorest of the poor, to elderly and disabled people who are often bedbound. The cyclists are proud that they are now delivering food to these people.”

Novak recently took a short spell away from Ukraine to visit the UK to attend the Brave Ukraine event, organised by the Ukrainian Embassy in London.

The aid worker, alongside Depaul International’s chief executive Matthew Carter, spoke to politicians from across the political spectrum about the situation on the ground in conflict-stricken areas like Kharkiv.

“When I left Kharkiv people were still in big danger, as there’s shooting all the time, there’s still a humanitarian crisis.

“There’s so much need and suffering, especially outside of the cities, which have been neglected by the big agencies. We see the greatest need outside of the cities in the villages, and wider region, that’s where we are focusing.”

Depaul International’s Ukraine Emergency Appeal is fundraising to help the charity support people who are homeless or displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
Huge student blocks are transforming city skylines. But is there a darker motive behind the boom?
Student accommodation

Huge student blocks are transforming city skylines. But is there a darker motive behind the boom?

Prince William's bid to end homelessness in 'delivery mode' as it hits second anniversary
Prince William
Homelessness

Prince William's bid to end homelessness in 'delivery mode' as it hits second anniversary

No UK party currently has what it takes to end poverty, research finds: 'We need a radical rethink'
Labour leader Keir Starmer, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
Exclusive

No UK party currently has what it takes to end poverty, research finds: 'We need a radical rethink'

I'm a working mum-of-four – ending the two-child benefit cap would be life-changing for us
child in waterproof jacket
Two-child benefit cap

I'm a working mum-of-four – ending the two-child benefit cap would be life-changing for us

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue