It’s been almost a year since Russian forces rolled into Ukraine, triggering the war which continues to this day.
The head of a Santa Barbara-based humanitarian group has been in Ukraine and Poland this week, looking at how aid efforts are going, and what needs to be done next.
ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray talked to KCLU News from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. She says President Biden’s visit was an important surprise.
"We were wondering...will he come, or will he not?" said Murray. "It is a massive morale boost, an incredible gesture."
Murray says she’s seen the physical and psychological fatigue the war has taken on the Ukrainian people.
"They've seen friends, they've seen family, they've seen neighbors die," said Murray.
Shelterbox has provided everything from emergency tents to personal hygiene kits to refugees. When the difficult Ukrainian winter hit, the Santa Barbara based relief group stepped up with supplies so people could repair their damaged homes to help deal with the bitter cold.
Murray says Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, like the power grid has made life difficult for the people, and complicated relief efforts.
The head of the Santa Barbara non-profit says the Ukrainian people remain strong in their resolve to defend their homeland. But, she says there’s no question they are exhausted.
"They're tired, they want the war to end, the want to go home," said Murray.
Murray says the Ukrainian people are determined to fight on, but at the same time are hopeful the war will end soon.
