Ukraine Oleksiy Mamkin

The dangers of humanitarian missions

One of my first trips on a humanitarian mission left a significant imprint on my mind. We were delivering aid to a small town in south-east Ukraine. While we were unloading the humanitarian cargo, the city came under heavy shelling. We all went immediately to the nearest shelter and stayed there for about an hour until the shelling ended. Thankfully we were all okay, but this incident will be hard to forget.  

Ensuring convoys run smoothly

Road travel is definitely a challenge in Ukraine at the moment, and the state of the roads is not always very good. This is a big test for drivers carrying humanitarian cargo as the cargo must be delivered safely and you must also ensure that the truck isn’t damaged in the process. Most importantly, you have to keep yourself and your colleagues safe. Making sure everyone completes the mission alive is always the priority. 

We wear bullet-proof vests, assess the security situation and learn about the region prior to the mission. We keep in touch with colleagues or escorts using landline walkie-talkies installed in the trucks, as well as mobile walkie-talkies outside. 

What it takes to be a driver

In my opinion, for this job you need to have previous experience as a truck driver; the most important skills are the ability to navigate in extreme conditions, to think clearly and stay focused if someone needs your help. Being able to carry out small repairs on the road when necessary is essential. Also to be kind, polite and a role model to follow is very important, as we work to help other people. 

My life outside of work

Outside of work, I spend all my time with my family. We like to spend time outdoors, going for a walk in the forest or to the river.