Frequently asked questions

Our goal is to provide rapid and direct support to local people affected by the war in order to ensure their survival. Our approach is simple, efficient, and effective. Human Front Aid is led by Bänz Margot. Out of personal solidarity and commitment, he has been with people since the start of the war and decides at short notice where help is most urgently needed. We do not generate any profit from donations.

Bänz Margot stands for personal information via email or telephone available.

Internally displaced persons are people who are forced to leave their homes due to conflict, natural disasters, or other emergencies but remain within the borders of their own country.

They seek protection in less vulnerable regions of their home country and are often confronted with specific challenges as they have no international refugee status and receive too little or no government aid.

Early in the morning of February 24, 2022, the Bernese Bänz Margot in Odessa was awakened by explosions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine had begun. Contrary to his fear, Bänz decided to stay in the region and help people affected by the war. He took part in evacuations and food transportation to secluded villages. In a short period of time, a powerful network was created that provides direct assistance on various fronts.

Bänz Margot stands for personal information via email or telephone available.

We do not have any transport logistics and therefore do not accept donations in kind. Only monetary donations enable us to help local people quickly and flexibly.

If you want to help us reach more people and to motivate yourself to make a donation, please use email connect with us. Use the subject line “I want to help.”

Human Front Aid is a young organization that emerged from the passion and initiative of Bänz Margot, who directly witnessed the outbreak of war on 24.02.2022. We are an independent organization without a bureaucratic background. Since the start of the war, Human Front Aid has been able to provide direct support to thousands of people.

Bänz Margot stands for personal information via email or telephone available.

In addition to individual Emergency Cash Help, Human Front Aid operates several additional projects:

• ‍Street kitchen: We finance a weekly street kitchen for people affected by poverty. In 2024, over 8000 portions of hot dishes were served.‍
• Cash for food: Regular financial support for families in need.‍
• Medical assistance: We support hospitals and psychiatric clinics for people affected by war.

Human Front Aid works cost-effectively. The share of administrative costs in 2024 was only around 4% of donations received and used.

That means that More than 96% of your donation directly benefits people in need. Thanks to lean structures and the experienced local network of helpers, we are able to pass on donations 1:1 to those most in need.

Yes Human Front Aid has been recognized as a tax-exempt institution in the Canton of Bern since the start of the war.‍

The organization is listed tax-exempt in the official register of the tax administration of the Canton of Bern. This means that Your donations are tax deductible. On request, we will be happy to provide you with a donation receipt for your tax return.

Human Front Aid provides direct emergency financial aid to people in precarious situations. After thorough checks, local aid organizations and social workers select the families who need help most urgently.

They are invited to a distribution campaign where, after verification of the documents, the financial aid is handed over in cash. The amounts are usually between CHF 20 and 200 per family. Each handover is documented and receipt of funds is signed.

Human Front Aid focuses on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa and the surrounding area However, it is constantly expanding its sphere of activity.

Thanks to mobile teams, we are now active in several regions: Odesa - Mykolaiv - Kherson - Zaporizhia - Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk.

We work closely with local social workers who know the realities and needs of help there.

Human Front Aid was officially registered as an association in Switzerland on March 28, 2022 just a few weeks after the start of the Russian invasion.

The initiative was created immediately after the outbreak of war when Bänz Margot was awakened by the first explosions in Odessa on February 24, 2022. Together with friends from Switzerland, he immediately began evacuations and aid transports. We have been working on the ground since day 1 of the war.

Human Front Aid works closely with local partners and volunteer organizations.‍

A central partner is the Volunteer Center Plich o Plich (Ukrainian for shoulder to shoulder) in Odessa. As a key local partner, Oleg Mykhaylyk coordinates the registration of refugees and the validation of their need. In addition, we work with local social workers in various regions and doctors in hospitals.

Human Front Aid is supported by an impressive Patronage Committee:

• Here Find our patrons and team,...
• and here Find all our other partners and supporters.

Cash for Food is a Human Front Aid project launched in 2024 for longer-term support for those affected by war in particular need.

In contrast to the one-time Emergency Cash Help, families receive the Cash for Food project regular financial support of 1000 hryvnia (approx. CHF 22) for the procurement of basic products such as food or medicines.

Since the start of the war, Human Front Aid has been able to provide impressive assistance:

Thousands of families & people affected by war evacuated and supported - estimated 30000 to 50000 people. Distributed hundreds of tons of food and hygiene products. Almost 60% of the families helped were internally displaced persons.

Direct financial assistance has several significant advantages:

People can decide for themselves what they need most urgently and The money flows straight into the local economy which is strengthened as a result.

There is no need for complex logistics and the help arrives within a very short period of time. Material assistance often does not reach those most in need. Direct financial assistance minimizes this risk. This strategy was implemented on the recommendation of Hugo Fasel (former Director of Caritas Switzerland).

No Human Front Aid still receives no support from the Swiss state or the chain of fortune. We are completely dependent on private donations and foundations.

In June 2023, the city of Bern donated a one-time emergency aid of 25,000 francs for the victims of the Khachovka dam breach. Donations are our driving factor. If we had more resources, we could help significantly more people.

The selection is made very carefully: Local aid agencies and experienced social workers carry out thorough checks.

The criteria are:

• presence of children
• invalidity
• medical needs
• loss of home
• Status as an internally displaced person

During distribution, Human Front Aid checks the documents and listens to the personal situation. Every transfer of money is documented and photographed. Our focus is on those who have been hit the hardest.