On the front line and in the liberated areas of Ukraine, mobility is a matter of survival. An ambulance, a medical evacuation pick-up or a humanitarian logistics vehicle are not merely means of transport: they are lifelines (“lifelines”).

Yet the reality on the ground is harsh, and mechanical wear and tear sets in immediately. That is why The Small Projects, in partnership with UAFirstAid and with the invaluable support of our US partner JaxFund, officially launches the Lifeline Garage programme.

The problem: The mechanical hell of the front line

The vast majority of vehicles essential to humanitarian and medical efforts are subjected to extreme conditions:

– An ageing fleet: Around 90 % of the vehicles used near the front line (by military units and NGOs involved in evacuation or medical aid) are between 10 and 15 years old, or even older.
– Destructive wear and tear: Potholes, mud and debris are taking their toll on the suspension, tyres and brakes at a rapid rate.
– The cost of being stranded: A vehicle stuck in a garage means a failed medical evacuation or critical aid being held up.

Our solution: Repair vouchers

To keep these vehicles on the road without excessive red tape, we have devised a system of repair vouchers worth up to 390 euros per approved vehicle.

Our aim: To enable military units and evacuation NGOs to have their vehicles repaired as a matter of urgency through a network of trusted partner garages in Ukraine. The vehicle must get back on the road as soon as possible.

Our vouchers are not intended for major repairs, but they can get vehicles back on the road by meeting basic needs: thethe brakes, the clutch, thesuspension and minor mechanical issues, thebatteries, tyres, filters, belts and fluids, as well as thebasic diagnostics

Complete transparency: No cash

To ensure that every euro donated goes directly where it is needed, we follow a strict protocol :

1. No money is transferred to individuals: Funds never pass through drivers or organisations. They are paid directly to carefully selected partner garages once the work has been completed and documented.

2. A thorough verification process: Each application is subject to a thorough check by the UA FirstAid team (official authorisation letter from the unit commander or NGO head, vehicle verification including photographs and VIN number, detailed invoices before and after).

3. Confidentiality and security: For obvious security reasons in the field, our list of partner garages is shared on a confidential basis only with approved applicants.

The immediate aim: a pilot scheme involving 100 repairs

We are currently launching the pilot phase of this programme, with a target of 100 urgent repairs. This first milestone will enable us to validate our operational model on a large scale, test our security controls and collect accurate impact data in order to ensure the network’s long-term sustainability throughout Ukraine.

You can help us

Would you like to support us? Donations to The Small Projects Team are tax-deductible (up to 66 % in France, and eligible for 501(c)(3) status in the United States).

To make a donation to this project, please visit garage.thesmallprojects.org

Let’s keep them on the road. Let’s save lives.