Dutch truck drivers have spent the past couple of days raising money and making food packages for Ukrainian colleagues stranded in the Netherlands, reports RTL Nieuws.
The initiator, Aschwin Cannoo from Nijmegen, estimates that there are around 10,000 Ukrainian truck drivers scattered throughout Dutch parking lots, unable to go home.
Moral duty to assist Ukranian drivers
Cannoo was himself a truck driver until two years ago when he instead created the platform Chauffeursnieuws. The platform promotes the interests of truck drivers in the Netherlands.
However, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he felt that “it is a moral duty to assist stranded drivers from Ukraine with advice and action.”
He started a fundraiser to put together food packages that could be delivered across the country.
In just one day, the campaign raised €60,000!
Volunteers flocking to help
Not only has there been an overwhelming contribution to the fundraiser, but Dutch truck drivers have also responded eagerly to Chauffeursnieuws’ Facebook page.
Currently, about 50 trucks are driving to parking lots hosting Ukrainian drivers with packages containing bread, fruit, soup, toilet paper and a meal.
Moreover, Dutch drivers are putting together their own packages without aid from the fundraiser or with help from local food banks.
Cannoo adds: “And we help not only Ukrainians but also Russian drivers. They can’t help that this war is going on.”
‘Heel Holland helpt’
This past weekend saw a touching turn up at various collection sites around the country. In the village Mijnsheerenland near Rotterdam, many cars arriving with supplies for Ukrainians actually created traffic jams throughout the village.
However, everyone was happy to do what they could to help.
What do you think of this initiative by Dutch truck drivers? Do you know other ways to help? Tell us in the comments below!
They are not “unable to go home”! They just don’t want to, either because they support Putin or because they’re cowards (probably both). Ukrainians are returning home from all over the world to fight for a free Ukraine and need those care packages and supplies. Send it all them THEM, not some pos sitting out the war in a parking lot.
It’s so easy to judge others while you are not in their situation. Like Biden said to Putin: You have no soul!
Easy to talk tough when it doesn’t affect you.
Actually a lot of their employees are not from Ukraine and wont let them go back, they are still the ones who pay the diesel and the paycheck and they threaten to block it if they try to go back, should they walk home? Also a lot of them gave as a reason they keep working and send their money back to ukraine to financially support the war. Dont judge too soon.