Bygg-Göta & Hug: Collaborations in Humanitarian Aid
Nov 14, 2024
”The solution for Hug was a special partnership with Bygg-Göta, a Swedish real estate and real estate management firm whose resources helped us reshape our humanitarian work. The results of this collaboration were nothing short of revolutionary, enabling us to expand our efforts in Ukraine and reach thousands more people in need in ways we never would have imagined.
Three warehouses in Gothenburg during different periods became crowded with vehicles, volunteers, and supplies. These were not just any buildings; Bygg-Göta offered them to us in a powerful display of kindness and solidarity, and they served as the backbone of our operations. Normally housing building supplies, the warehouses were converted into flourishing hubs of humanitarian action. Here, volunteers gathered to sort, prepare, and pack necessary materials that would soon be delivered to the Ukrainian people.
More than 190 trucks have left these warehouses in the last nearly 2.5 years, transporting tons of supplies that have been delivered straight to the towns and cities affected by the Russian invasion. Every truck shares a story of compassion, but also people coming together to significantly better the lives of those impacted by war.
The collaboration with Bygg-Göta offered more than just a place to store supplies. The warehouses were converted into temporary garages for a completely different task: a place to store emergency vehicles, ready to be driven to Ukraine by volunteers.
Inside, rows of ambulances have been parked, each one inspected, to make sure that they could handle the drive of around 2000 kilometers to Ukraine. Some only needed small adjustments, others needed more involved work, but they all had the potential to save lives. These ambulances were later fixed when they arrived in Ukraine.
The warehouses also stored specialized vehicles called CASEVACs, short for casualty evacuations, in addition to standard ambulances. These purpose-built vans were later rebuilt in Ukraine to be able to relocate the vulnerable and injured out of danger zones. To ensure they could travel through conflict areas safely and undetected, the CASEVACs were painted with camouflage patterns. The warehouses became places where vehicles were stored safely, ready to be fixed later on to handle critical medical care where it was most needed.
Volunteers from all walks of life came together in the warehouses to work toward a common goal. People of all ages and backgrounds showed up every day to lend a hand, contributing their enthusiasm and commitment. While some handled the logistics, labeling supplies, keeping track of inventory, and making sure nothing was left behind, others loaded the trucks with packed boxes.
Because of the sense of belonging and purpose he experienced, one volunteer, Yuriy, chose to spend his weekends here. His voice is full of emotion as she says, "It's like we're part of something bigger."
Yuriy recalls his first day of volunteering. “It was clear that the work we were doing directly affected Ukrainian lives. I kept returning because of that sense of purpose.”
Within those walls, where volunteers frequently worked side by side for hours, forming friendships and exchanging stories, his story is just one of many that took place. In addition to providing a physical location for our work, the collaboration with Bygg-Göta fostered a sense of community where individuals felt they were making an impact in Ukraine.
Bygg-Göta demonstrated that businesses can have a profound impact by contributing both financial support and essential resources. This partnership elevated our ability to help and provided a positive model for other businesses that may be considering contributing to Hug’s work.
Thanks to Bygg-Göta’s financial support and warehouse space, we were able to deliver truckloads of supplies, bring medical equipment to hospital, directly help children, supporting firefighters and save lives. Their engagement has proven itself to be a wonderful example of corporate social responsibility, highlighting the importance of real-world resources in humanitarian efforts.
We strongly encourage companies and organizations to support us in our endeavors as we move forward. The need in Ukraine, and for Ukrainians in Sweden, is still present, and we can accomplish much more together if we have the necessary tools. If your company would like to contribute space, resources, or other useful help to our humanitarian efforts, please contact us at contact@hug.ngo. We can work together to ensure the most suitable way for your company to help.
