Volunteers preparing a gluten-free food shipment in a wintry Kyiv. Photo: Ukrainian Coeliac Society

News - 20 December 2023 14:45

Urgent appeal to alleviate severe gluten-free food shortage in Ukraine

December 20, Brussels, Belgium – AOECS relaunches the Emergency Fund for Ukraine.

Since the onset of the full-scale occupation of Ukraine, the nation has experienced a devastating loss of its gluten-free food producers, with only four remaining operational. This dire situation has resulted in a critical shortage of gluten-free food, affecting Ukrainian coeliacs who rely on these specialized products for their well-being.

Taking note of the urgent humanitarian need, the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) has been actively involved in funding food shipments into Ukraine since March 2022. These efforts have provided essential gluten-free sustenance to Ukrainian coeliacs still residing in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian refugees. To sustain and expand this crucial support, AOECS is relaunching the AOECS Emergency Fund, appealing for financial contributions from individuals and organizations worldwide.

Olga Naumova, President of the Ukrainian Coeliac Society, elaborated on the precarious situation facing Ukrainian coeliacs today, stating, "[The situation is] very dangerous because of attacks every day. Unfortunately, during these two years, we lost a lot of Ukrainian producers who produce gluten-free products. Now we have only four producers. That's why [we get] help from Poland and other AOECS member societies."

National Coeliac Societies arranges transports into Ukraine which are redistributed by the Ukrainian Coeliac Society mainly using the logistics company Nova Poshta. In some instances, gluten-free food must be shipped into occupied areas, a perilous task undertaken by dedicated volunteers risking their lives to deliver essential sustenance to coeliacs in need.

Since the commencement of the war on Ukraine, AOECS has successfully shipped 38,000 kilograms of gluten-free food through over 18 shipments. This commendable work, partially funded through the AOECS Emergency Fund, is a collective endeavor involving the tireless voluntary efforts of National Coeliac Societies within AOECS. Noteworthy contributions have come from societies in Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic.

Veronica Rubio, Secretary General of the AOECS, expressed gratitude to all private and corporate donors who have supported the initiative over the past year. Rubio fervently urged continued support, stating, "Please help us to continue this critical support to coeliacs."

To contribute to the AOECS Emergency Fund for Ukraine, please visit https://www.aoecs.org/coeliac-disease/aoecs-emergency-fund/.

Your assistance is indispensable in providing relief to those facing the hard consequences of the gluten-free food shortage in Ukraine. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of Ukrainian coeliacs in this time of crisis.

Topics

Contacts

Veronica Rubio

Press contact Secretary General press@aoecs.org +32 473 18 25 03 News from AOECS

Related media Download images for media use

volunteers_packing2
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .jpg
Size: 1000 x 1000, 420 KB

sweet-girl_receive-pack
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .jpg
Size: 1000 x 1000, 408 KB

preparing-shipment
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .jpg
Size: 1000 x 1000, 295 KB

delivery_preparation
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .jpg
Size: 1200 x 675, 140 KB

Olga Naumova
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .jpg
Size: 366 x 497, 24.3 KB

AOECS sets up a Central Emergency Fund for donations to Ukrainian Coeliacs

AOECS sets up a Central Emergency Fund for handling donations to Ukrainian Coeliacs. The funds will in short term be used to administer the logistics of distributing already donated gluten-free food. If you want to contribute, read more on our website https://www.aoecs.org/coeliac-disease/aoecs-emergency-fund/

AOECS Emergency Fund for Ukraine in a nutshell

31 July 2023 13:58

Over 38 000 kg of gluten free food shipped to Ukraine

War on Ukraine is still ongoing. So is also the humantarian work supported by AOECS Emergency Fund. Up until now over 38 000 kg of gluten free food has been shipped to Ukrainian coeliac families in need. Read more about our efforts and how you can support.

Dr. Joseph A. Murray. Photo: Mayo Clinic

30 May 2022 13:21

Prize winner donates winnings to AOECS Central Emergency Fund

The American association Celiac Disease Foundation appoints Dr. Joseph A. Murray for the prize Excellence in Celiac Disease Research. The prize winner donates all winnings to AOECS Central Emergency Fund.

Volonteers receive food shipment and prepare for continued distribution in Ukraine. Photo: Ukrainian Coeliac Society

24 February 2023 12:08

Continued food shipments to coeliacs in Ukraine

Generous donations and individual efforts make shipments of gluten free food to Ukraine possible. The help is coordinated and funded with help from the AOECS Emergency Fund. Until now 20 shipments with over 30 tons of food has been delivered to coeliac families inside Ukraine. This work will be continued for as long as it is necessary.

Generic image of empty shelves in a food store

9 May 2022 07:25

Increasingly harder to find gluten-free food in Ukraine

It is getting increasingly more difficult for people to find gluten-free food inside Ukraine. The humanitarian aid to ship gluten-free food into Ukraine continues and 750 food parcels were delivered to different regions inside Ukraine in April. More help is needed.