"Operation Open Arms" for Ukrainian war escapees
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Hiring a charter aircraft to bring escapees from Ukraine to the U.S. is the first goal of this effort. It is hoped, with adequate support, that more than one charter could be arranged, each carrying 250 to 300 passengers per flight. We hope to provide each person with a small amount of cash ($50) and help arrange legal assistance to enter the US. Many groups and individuals are willing to provide temporary places to stay and the US government will provide modest assistance once the escapees are here. These flights will avoid the problems of refugees arriving at the border with Mexico and provide an approved means for Ukrainians to enter the country for shelter from the war.
Those to be assisted are mainly women, children and older adults men who need someplace to go after having escaped the war in Ukraine. The US has a long tradition, and our laws support it, of welcoming refugees from around the world. As matters now stand, the escapees can't get here because it is nearly impossible to get a visa.
President Biden has announced the creation of a special program to provide access to the United States for up to 100,000. One possible route is called Humanitarian Parole which allows specially classified groups to enter and stay for a particular period. Another is for those seeking asylum to be temporarily admitted pending a hearing before a judge. The exact details of how the US government program will work have yet to be announced.
It is likely that most of those coming to the US will not be seeking permanent residency and will desire to return to Ukraine as soon as conditions are right to allow safe passage and once buildings are restored to livable condition.
Since the escapees were forced to flee overnight with many banks shut down, many people have only the suitcases they carry and nothing more. Many, however, hold Ukrainian passports, which would be used to start the process.
We have quotes from international charter companies for a dedicated passenger charter. The cost varies from under $700,000 to around 900,000 depending on the number of passengers and the costs for the charter airline companies. We are trying to raise more than the minimum amount to ensure that a charter can be booked in the near future. Should we not be able to raise enough for a charter, under PLAN B, we would purchase individual tickets for as many people as possible. ALL LEFT OVER FUNDS, if any, will be donated to recognized Ukrainian assistance efforts with the main organization being the International Medical Corps of Los Angles which currently has people in Ukraine providing basic medical assistance.
And the same time, we are checking out the possibility of paying for evacuees to take regular scheduled commercial flights. The lowest cost flight from Warsaw to the Washington, DC, area will cost around $800. per person, including a night in a hotel at a stopover along the way. We also want to be able to give a small amount of cash to each family if the American government does not provide for this immediately on arrival.
Are you wealthy and interested in sponsoring an entire charter flight carrying over 250 passengers? Consider making a full donation. If you are able to do so, the flight would be named in your honor. All those who donate smaller amounts will be listed as supporters of this effort as well.
We are working with native-speaking Ukrainians and Russian speakers in the DC area and will be taking six or more native speakers to Warsaw to contact potential passengers and make certain they meet the requirements for entrance into the US.
LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE IN HANDLING THESE FUNDS:
We have more than 15 years operating a highly successful. non-profit farmers and artists market in Maryland. Additionally, a federally recognized 501(c) non-profit entity supports the market and other similar endeavors to bring fresh, locally grown food to area residents and to make donations of food to those in need. The farmers market donates thousands of pounds of fresh local produce every season, becoming one of the largest donors in the county area. Additionally, Doug Terry, who is leading this effort, supervised nearly one million dollars per year for five years in a business arrangement with a minority group in Iraq, so he is no stranger to the responsibilities of handling funds. The funds he handled on behalf of the people in Iraq were used to provide an international information service for the minority group in Iraq.
Doug Terry is also the Executive Director of The Emergency Services Network, which grew out of personal efforts to assist after disasters, especially hurricanes. These efforts grew more intense following involvement in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and have continued seasonally since that time.
HOW THE FUNDS ARE TO BE USED
An expedited process for entering the country is being established by the US government with more details annouced soon. We estimate that 90+% of the funds will go to pay for the charter or, under PLAN B, individual airline tickets for escaping families. The rest will be used to directly support this effort. Should there be any funds left over, we will donate them to established charities that help Ukrainians. Those who are provided transportation to the US will be done so in full compliance with US laws and the parameters of the program established by the government as well as long existing laws on refugees.
OTHER COSTS, IN ADDITION TO THE CHARTERS:
1. Transportation to Warsaw for 6 native Ukrainian/Russian speaking volunteers from the Washington, DC, area and, potentially, elsewhere.
2. Accommodations in Warsaw, including food and minor costs, for volunteers and up to two personnel from Emergency Services Network. This is expected to involve 3 to 4 days to organize the charter. However, it might be necessary to send a smaller team for a few days in advance to work on arrangements, which would add to the costs involved.
3. A stipend to the volunteers to make up for lost days at work during the trip over and back. (200 or under per day away).
4. Modest compensation for ESN staff support working on this project. No one will be paid high salaries.
5. Incidental expenses not expected to total more than $2,000.
6. Costs of setting up a registration system by email and/or cell phone so that those who have qualified for transport can register and be informed of plans.
UNDER PLAN B:
Should we not be able to raise the full funds needed for at least one charter, we will send a smaller team to Warsaw to give out individual airline tickets and support to escapees. We would not undertake this particular mission unless we can raise enough to provide tickets to at least 100 escapees. Since the cost of airline tickets varies day by day, the exact cost of each ticket is impossible to confirm until purchased but we estimate that the total cost per ticket will be about $900, therefore we would need to raise at least $80,000. for this purpose with an additional 14,000 to support travel and other expenses for the organization team. Should the price of tickets increase, we would still undertake this mission with fewer tickets distributed.
This plan might seem too complicated but working with native Ukrainian and Russian speakers will increase the potential for success. We will resolve each component of the plan step by step. The two most serious barriers are raising the necessary funds and creating a means for escapees to learn of their eligibility to fly on the charter or through individual tickets. We expect to gain assistance on the ground in Warsaw by established organizations, including but not limited to the UN Agency on Refugees.
THE LINKS BELOW provide information about assistance to refugees on arrival in the US as well as a link to the International Medical Corps, a long standing international non-government agency.
Crowding at the US/Mexico border:
LINK TO THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS:
https://tinyurl.com/yxzchd4f
WHO IS DOUG TERRY?
Terry is a long time journalist having worked as a television news anchor, a reporter/producer at NPR and founder of two television news services in Washington, DC, which, collectively, reported for nearly 100 television stations across the US. He has reported from foreign locations in Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. Terry first became a manager of news operations at the age of 23 in Dallas, Texas, for an 85 station radio network.
From his journalism experience, Terry developed a deep concern about disasters, hurricanes in particular, and has worked as a volunteer on numerous hurricane events, ordinarily helping to coordinate recovery assistance in the effected zones. He was present as Katrina moved through the New Orleans area in 2005 and has acted as a documentarian in that and many other hurricane events, including Harvey in 2017, Maria in Puerto Rico that same year as well as other hurricanes in North Carolina, South Carolina and the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy on the east coast in 2012.
As Executive Director of the Emergency Services Network, Terry is moving forward to provide comprehensive education and communications services before, during and after future disaster events.
Janet Terry is also a long time journalist, having worked at WUSA-TV (CBS, Washington, DC) for years. She currently is the founder and president of the Olney Farmers and Artists Market as well as the chief executive of a related non-profit, 501(c) effort.
Both Terrys are working with local residents who are Ukrainian American citizens and are actively engaged in sending supplies to the people of Ukraine. The Terrys are assisting in these efforts.
WHO IS DOUG TERRY?
Terry is a long time journalist having worked as a television news anchor, a reporter/producer at NPR and founder of two television news services in Washington, DC, which, collectively, reported for nearly 100 television stations across the US. He has reported from foreign locations in Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. Terry first became a manager of news operations at the age of 23 in Dallas, Texas, for an 85 station radio network.
From his journalism experience, Terry developed a deep concern about disasters, hurricanes in particular, and has worked as a volunteer on numerous hurricane events, ordinarily helping to coordinate recovery assistance in the effected zones. He was present as Katrina moved through the New Orleans area in 2005 and has acted as a documentarian in that and many other hurricane events, including Harvey in 2017, Maria in Puerto Rico that same year as well as other hurricanes in North Carolina, South Carolina and the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy on the east coast in 2012.
As Executive Director of the Emergency Services Network, Terry is moving forward to provide comprehensive education and communications services before, during and after future disaster events.
Janet Terry is also a long time journalist, having worked at WUSA-TV (CBS, Washington, DC) for years. She currently is the founder and president of the Olney Farmers and Artists Market as well as the chief executive of a related non-profit, 501(c) effort.
Both Terrys are working with local residents who are Ukrainian American citizens and are actively engaged in sending supplies to the people of Ukraine. The Terrys are assisting in these efforts.
Organizer
Doug Terry
Organizer
Olney, MD
