Since mid-March, the “ Save the Lives of Ukrainians” initiative, launched by the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), has been operating in Ukraine. Within its framework, small and medium-sized agrarians assist medical institutions, villagers, local governments, law enforcement officers and rescuers in combating the coronavirus pandemics in the areas where they cultivate land.

UAC board member Valentyn Nechiporenko told Procherk.info about why agrarians initiated the “Save the Life of Ukrainians” campaign and how they help hospitals and villagers in the regions.

Each member of our organization has decided to assist hospitals, outpatient clinics with facilities and medical equipment . We distribute masks, disinfectants, tests for detection of the coronavirus, that is, fofr everyone that is got involved in the work, considering what the situation is now, - Valentin Nychiporenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of VII-VIII convocations.

In total, UAC is an association of about seven hundred agricultural enterprises. These are mostly small and medium-sized farmers.

UAC (Ukrainian Agri Council) showed cohesion and effectiveness and initiated actions against the sale of land to foreign corporations. I think, among political and public organizations, our organization is the only one that is independent. Because we work at our own expense, that is, at the expense of membership fees, depending on the amount of hectares of land that a farmer owns. And so the budget allows us not to depend on anyone, but to decide everything at a general meeting. Therefore, our organization made the decision to get involved in the work and help the medical sector, - Valentyn Nychiporenko said. 

Interestingly, the former parliamentarian himself compares the current challenge to the state with what happened in 2014, when the war began.

Back then, I recall, the situation was that we had to involve all forces to fight. I spent a large sum on equipment for the military, I didn’t live worse after that; but old people, who gave our soldiers their last hryvnia, had to worry. That is why today we have a duty to protect retirees and doctors. If there is such an opportunity, we should help. Therefore, immediately after the introduction of quarantine, I transmitted 300 rapid tests for the diagnosis of coronavirus to Zhashkiv, Lysyansk, Mankivka, Talniv, Zvenigorod hospitals and Vatutine hospital, and  the doctors of the district hospitals and outpatient clinics of these areas received 300 protective masks. The head of the “Askold-Agro” PSP Victor Vusyk provided financial assistance to Zhashkiv hospital and outpatient clinics of the district. Agrarian Mykola Severin financed the verification of oxygen concentrates and the sewing of reusable masks for the doctors of the Mankivsa hospital, and also provided gasoline for the transportation of medical workers of the "Mankivsky CPMD" KNP. Oleksandr Kosenyuk, “Sokolivka” PJSC, management of “Vidrodzhenya” PSP Hryhoriy Kotko and Mykhaylo Kotko, head of the agricultural company “Kyshchentsi” LLC Keis Husing and hundreds of other farmers from all parts of Cherkassy region who do not promote their assistance, continue to assist the doctors. I want to emphasize that only ordinary farmers and agrarians help -not large-scale agricultural holdings. Now, as in 2014, we also have a challenge, and our doctors are like military, only doctors fight against an invisible enemy,- Valentin said.

All UAC members are now actively involved in the program "Save the lives of Ukrainians." Thus, the head of UAC Andriy Dykun purchased the apparatus of artificial ventilation for the Uman hospital, assistance in more than 100 thousand UAH was provided by the head of “APK Nastashka” LLC and “STEP-2000” Oleksiy Prudivus from Cherkassy region.

In addition, farmers help the elderly with food. In particular, a food reserve has been created in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, on the initiative of the Chairman of the UAC Andriy Dikun. Volunteers have already handed out 9,000 food kits to seniors in the city and provided products for doctors to work with coronavirus patients. More than 10 agro-enterprises of Cherkassy region have joined the creation of the food reserve.

We analyzed the experience of Italy, Spain, Germany and realized that it is necessary to avoid peak loads at the hospital. This requires that the most vulnerable categories of people stayed at home. Accordingly, they need something to eat, and since all participants of the Ukrainian Agri Council are engaged in the cultivation and provision of food, we realized that it is where  we can help, - said the head of the Ukrainian Agri Council Andriy Dykun.