Taiwanese residents of Poland step up to offer support to Ukraine

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Taiwanese people are stepping up to offer help to Ukraine, whether from here in Taiwan, or much closer to the Eastern European country. We spoke to one Taiwanese businessman living in Poland, who made a road trip across the country, to get vital everyday necessities to people suffering from the Russian invasion.

Taiwanese businessman Nick Su works in tourism in Poland. He photographed friends posing with flags of Ukraine, Taiwan and Poland to symbolize the three countries’ solidarity. He and his Polish friends collected more than 60 boxes of supplies for an NGO, transporting them all the way from Warsaw to the city of Chelm, right on the border with Ukraine. They wanted these necessities to reach folks still trying to survive in western Ukraine.

Nick Su
Taiwanese resident of Poland
Under the shelling, parts of west Ukraine have lost water, electricity and gas. So what they need more than anything is instant canned food, with a long expiration date. Because they don’t have heating, they need sleeping bags and emergency medical bags. They are in urgent need of these items.

Su shared with us how Ukrainian men still in the country took turns driving the vehicles to collect the items. When he discussed the war with them, he was amazed by their undaunted spirit.

Nick Su
Taiwanese resident of Poland
For them, it’s extremely honorable to be able to fight for their country. Having seen in with my own eyes, I think Ukraine is a rather remarkable country. We know that Russia is a fighting nation. Now we can see how Ukraine is also a nation of heroic fighters.

Su has lived in Poland for years. He has many Ukrainian friends, which is what prompted him to do his bit to help. A friend in need is a friend indeed, as they say, and Su believes that if Taiwan needs help, Ukraine will return the favor.

Nick Su
Taiwanese resident of Poland
You have to help each other. The next one to get hit by a flying bullet could be you, right? So if you help someone now, then in the future, after they saw you reaching out to give them a hand so warmly, they will pay you back in the same manner.

And aside from residents of Poland, figures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that Taiwanese fundraising and donation drives are thriving. Latest stats suggest almost 20,500 boxes of goods have been sent to Ukraine, weighing a total of more than 200 tons. By Wednesday, a relief fund for Ukraine had already collected NT$800 million in donations.
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Poland
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