With more than 250 humanitarian missions completed, New Zealand charity Kiwi K.A.R.E is finishing its second year in war-torn Ukraine weary and highly motivated.

The charity, led by former Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell, has also helped more than 400 people evacuate from Ukraine, fabricated and distributed 3100 stoves and water boilers, and established a small ambulance fleet for evacuations and patient transfer,

Founder and chairman Powell said the charity’s mission was “simple yet profound”.

“We deliver vital, tangible and life-changing humanitarian and medical aid to Ukraine’s Red Zones.

“We achieve this in collaboration and partnership with registered Ukrainian humanitarian organisations, international funders and the people of New Zealand.

“Our initiatives focus on real solutions, vital supplies and the efficient and transparent delivery of aid to where it is needed and to those who need it most.”

Many Ukrainians describe the water heaters and boilers as lifesaving. Photo / Supplied

K.A.R.E (an acronym standing for Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation) has delivered many hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian and medical aid, working collaboratively with international and Ukrainian partners to make a positive difference in the lives of those families suffering the devastating effects of an illegal, full-scale war.

“This year we launched the Road-of-Life programme and stepped up significantly in the fabrication and distribution of stoves and water boilers,” said Powell.

“Road-of-Life formalises our evacuation and medical transportation service with a new partnership brand.

“The brand took a lot of conversations and input with our Ukrainian partners and it shows a strong collaboration between New Zealand and Ukraine on multiple levels.”

A key part of the Road-of-Life programme is the 25 ambulances delivered from New Zealand and Australia to Ukraine by Kiwi K.A.R.E, with a further 10 set to be transported across next year.

“We currently have three teams running five ambulances: Team East operating in the wider Kharkiv Oblast (region), Team South operating in the Kherson Oblast with an ability to range into Zaporizhzhia, and Team West operating across Western Ukraine to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who need medical assistance or who need hospital transportation.”

Ukrainian winters are brutal and many who live in the eastern and southern Red Zones are often without power and water due to constant attacks on infrastructure.

“This led us to do a trial in late 2022 on recycling old, unserviceable electrical water cylinders. Our team of engineers break them down to access the core tank and fabricate them into highly mobile heating, cooking and water boiling units that can be moved rapidly should the need arise,” Powell said.

Kiwi K.A.R.E founder and chairman Tenby Powell with one of the 3000-plus donated water boilers and heaters for Ukrainian families. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi K.A.R.E has delivered over 3100 stoves and has requests for about 5000 more. Many families who have received a unit describe them as lifesaving.

Each stove has a small brass plaque attached that has a black map of our small country and is inscribed with the words “With Love From New Zealand”.

“Our little country at the edge of the Pacific Ocean is making a big impact in support of the people of Ukraine through the work of many dedicated New Zealanders who have volunteered their time, resources and skills to pitch in and make a positive difference,” Powell said.

To donate, go to the Kiwi K.A.R.E GiveaLittle page or donate via the website.