In February 2023, a multitude of people had their lives upended when a devastating earthquake struck Turkey, killing more than 50,000 and displacing millions more. In solidarity with those suffering severe wounds, loss of loved ones, or loss of their homes, the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation stepped in to assist the earthquake victims.
As buildings and homes in the Hatay province lie in ruin, the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation delivered 19 modular homes, shelter for some of the survivors who saw their abodes leveled by the catastrophic natural disaster.
“The terrible consequences of an earthquake are very similar to a war — among these ruins there are many mutilated destinies and lost lives,” said Tetyana Kyrychenko, deputy director of the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation.
“Despite all the pain and suffering that we experienced during the last year, we Ukrainians still have enough courage and desire to help others. We understand other people’s pain very well and are always ready to help the needy in whatever way we can.”
The modular homes consist of a bathroom, kitchen, and two rooms, and cost the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation 3.6 million hryvnia (approximately $97,686) in total.
Years of Charitable Activities
Now in its 15th year of operation, the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation has always sought to provide comfort and basic needs to citizens in the region. The first philanthropic endeavor undertaken by the foundation was called Warm the Child With Love. The foundation chose 10 families who each had 10 or more children and provided them with a new home within a span of two years.
Another program launched by the foundation during 2008, its first year of operation, was Sportyvna Krayina. The program, which ran for six years, promoted sports and physical training for everyone. The Vadym Novynskyi Foundation created joint projects with the following organizations to operate the program: the Basketball Federation of Ukraine, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, and the Sparta Handball Club.
More recently, the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation has been involved with providing relief to Ukraine after Russia began its aggression in February 2022. The foundation originally pledged 150 million hryvnia for humanitarian relief in that country, but it increased the amount to 250 million hryvnia a short time later.
The Vadym Novynskyi Foundation chose to focus on the city of Mariupol throughout the war. Citizens of Mariupol alone have received more than 25 million hryvnia over the past year to cover vital expenses including food, fuel for evacuation buses, accommodation for internally displaced people, medicine, and other forms of transportation.
Another priority for the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation over the past year has included providing 15 million hryvnia worth of equipment for hospitals in Zaporizhzhia. Medical centers in that city have been able to obtain the following equipment thanks to the foundation’s generosity: one lung ventilator, two portable ultrasound scanning systems, two radiologic digital systems, three neonatal incubators, and three operating tables.
The foundation will continue to prioritize humanitarian relief to Ukraine for the duration of the war with Russia.
“The Mission of the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation is to broaden the territory of the good and make the life of our society healthier and better,” reads the website. “A big burden is not so heavy when propped up by hundreds of shoulders.”
