Can you help Ibiza Food Bank support Ukrainian refugees in Ibiza?

As a community, Ibiza is good at many things but we excelled during the pandemic when people from all corners of the island came together in extraordinary ways to help each other through the crisis. Ibiza Food Bank emerged as an indispensable service for the most vulnerable. Working alongside Ibiza’s Carritos Solidarios and Marco Martin, Ibiza Food Bank volunteers provided tonnes of food (quite literally) and shopping vouchers to the many families and individuals who had suddenly lost their incomes and were in desperate need of assistance, in addition to helping the Red Cross and Caritas with more vital food and financial donations.

Today, as the island recovers from the pandemic, the generous services of Ibiza Food Bank are fortunately no longer needed on the ground in Ibiza. Now, they are turning their hearts and minds towards Ukraine, with the aim of sending much-needed support from Ibiza. Local Ukrainian groups had made several pleas for an urgent delivery of essential medicines to Ukraine and the Polish border, and the team at Ibiza Food Bank – led by local businessman Luke Peppe – set about finding a solution. Based on their experiences during the pandemic, the team knew it was vital to partner with an NGO to ensure donations and supplies would reach the right people.

Thanks to the many wonderful contributions received from the community and the fast-acting work of Ibiza Food Bank, a 10,000€ donation was made to Spanish NGO Apotecaris Solidaris, who have the infrastructure in place to bulk-purchase and deliver essential medicines to civilians caught up in conflict zones – think of them as ‘pharmacies without borders’. As you read this, thousands of people fleeing the war are now receiving the medicines they need thanks to this service. Plans are underfoot in Ibiza to send a further envoy of more medicines plus much-needed baby food, sanitary products and dry goods. To contribute to this effort, please donate to Ibiza Food Bank here: https://gofund.me/e8205e4e

IBIZA FOOD BANK NEEDS YOU!

The next stage of Ibiza Food Bank’s Ukraine initiative is to help provide stability for refugees here on the island. Plans are currently being made to bring 60 Ukrainian citizens to Ibiza and provide them with three-year work permits, secure contract work, safe housing, plus any medical care and mental health support they may need. Transport has already been donated and Ibiza Food Bank is working closely with local authorities regarding entry requirements, work permits and protections. It’s all coming together swiftly but the only way to succeed is if everyone pitches in.

The Ukrainian people are highly educated with an enormous array of skills and several languages. With its current lack of workers for the 2022 season, Ibiza is primed to help them get some of them on back on their feet. Right now, Ibiza Food Bank is on a mission to secure adequate accommodation and offers of employment. Are you a hotel or business that can provide workers accommodation? Do you own a home with an empty casita? Are you looking for live-in housekeeping? Do you wish to donate a room in your home? If you think you can help, please get in touch with Ibiza Food Bank by emailing [email protected] to find out more about the process. In the meantime, we hope and pray for peace to come soon.