Orphan Grain Train Looks to Help Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine unfolds, a non-profit based in Norfolk, Nebraska is helping out.
By News Channel NebraskaNORFOLK, NE - Helping Ukrainians from across the world…that’s what Reverend Ray Wilke and the Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk want to do.
Orphan Grain Train has a history of providing aid to those in need in America and across the world.
It has sent thousands of semi-trailer truckloads of food, clothing, and medical supplies to dozens of countries and disaster areas since 1992.
And now, OGT President Rev. Wilke is setting his sights on Eastern Europe.
“I think our country is doing a great job at providing munitions, but at the moment we’re not doing a great job at providing humanitarian aid…bandages, baby food, diapers, and hygiene products.” Wilke says.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in late February, the United Nations estimates more than 1.7 million people have fled, seeking refuge in neighboring countries including Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
Wilke says this is one of the worst humanitarian crises since World War II.
“I’ve been at this for 30 years and I don’t know of a time with a greater need or more urgency than this.”
Rev. Wilke says the fastest way to get aid into Europe right now is to buy the supplies wholesale, package them and send them to a larger city to fly out of the country.
He says one flight in New Orleans is ready to fly to Warsaw, Poland with one OGT shipment.
“As of today, we have one big cargo plane that's ready, willing, and able to go. That will be invested by us just in terms of the product.
From there, Rev. Wilke says it will be distributed to the refugees and even into Ukraine.
But he says one flight, and one shipment isn’t enough.
One hope, Rev. Wilke says, is to get the National Guard to provide flights, but there needs to be a Congressional release to allow the C-130s to fly.
“I’m just saying my prayers that this National Guard human care unit can be freed up to go because then we can ship right into within 30 miles of the need.”
And ground shipments will take months to get to their destination…even without the supply chain issues.
“All the infrastructure is in place, but we need air shipment. Otherwise, it's going to take too long.”
He urges people to call their local Congressman or Senator and urge them to take action. A push is being spearheaded by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.
According to a statement, it calls for the “[activation of] the joint U.S. Department of Defense-National Guard State Partnership Program to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine.”
In a perfect world, Rev. Wilke says he can get the supplies in the hands of those who need them in five days. But he knows it’s not a perfect world.
“You know, Grain Train doesn't exist to do everything. It exists to do something. And maybe to raise up a few pillars of hope that others can see that this can be done.”