The war in Ukraine has already lasted 1,300 days and, unfortunately, is not yet over. While we have more or less "become accustomed" to this war, the number of civilian casualties and injuries is actually increasing in 2025. This year, as chair of Keep Them Warm, I get to do my bit for an initiative that is very close to my heart. Together with volunteers, we are bringing essential relief supplies to the Ukrainian border and taking people back to seek safety in Western Europe.

This effort remains desperately needed; we must keep this war in the public eye. I therefore feel it is a great responsibility to fulfill this role well in the coming year.

Together with the board, I want to show that we, students, are not slacking off, but are actually continuing stronger—because giving true warmth also involves perseverance.

Hi! My name is Femke, and this year I'm the vice-chair and will be responsible for Keep Them Warm's external relations. Based on my Security Studies degree, I've been involved with international security and the impact of war for years. When the war broke out in Ukraine, my studies and the stories and images shared on social media inspired a strong need to do more than just watch. I realized that even though we can't change everything, every gesture can make a difference. This year, I'm committed to expanding Keep Them Warm's reach, with the goal of reaching more people who help transport essential goods to victims in the war zone in Ukraine.

Hello! My name is Niels, I'm currently studying International Business, and I'm the treasurer for Keep Them Warm. As treasurer, I'm responsible for budgeting donations and managing the financial statements for the rides we organize. When I saw the Keep Them Warm call, I knew immediately that I wanted to sign up; I've always been interested in war and peace and contributing to the safety of others. Furthermore, meeting Ukrainian friends and becoming personally aware of the situation there has made me very motivated to help.

Hi! I'm Jasmijn, and this year I'll be working on media and socials for Keep Them Warm. As a student of Russian Studies and International Relations and Organizations, the war in Ukraine is something that still haunts me daily. However, I wanted to get involved in a way other than just textbooks and news articles, and Keep Them Warm aligns well with what I find important: helping people who have been wrongly victimized by war. I hope to expand our reach even further with our social media and website, so keep an eye on them!

Hi! My name is Adriaan. Together with Yasmine, I coordinate the trips that our organization takes to the Ukrainian border. At the end of last year, I learned about Keep Them Warm because a friend was going on a trip. I thought this was a wonderful initiative to contribute, so a few months later, I drove to the border with a friend to deliver goods and bring refugees back. This trip showed me that I can make a huge impact on the situation. And when I saw that Keep Them Warm was looking for a new board, there was no hesitation. I hope that with this organization, we can make a real difference for the people in Ukraine and motivate them to take their own trips, offering a platform that can support the trip and make it run as smoothly as possible.

Hi, I'm Yasmine, and together with Adriaan, I coordinate the trips to the Polish-Ukrainian border for Keep Them Warm. We ensure that these trips run as smoothly as possible and are the point of contact for all volunteers and contacts. I found Keep Them Warm through a friend. She told me about the initiative, and I was immediately enthusiastic and motivated. As a volunteer, you immediately see the impact of your efforts. With just one trip, vital goods can be delivered, and you have the opportunity to help refugees from unsafe situations. I hope that many more trips will be made to provide assistance to those who truly need it.

Hi! My name is Puck, and I'm the activities coordinator at Keep Them Warm, along with Julia.

I'm a law student and have always had a strong interest in foreign relations. I've been actively following the news about the war in Ukraine from the very beginning; it's heartbreaking to see how ordinary people are affected by a political conflict—and that's precisely why I want to actively contribute.

As an activities coordinator, I organize campaigns to find drivers for rides and to raise money. The role is varied, and there's a lot of room for creativity in devising campaigns. I hope that this year we can inspire even more people to take rides and donate money so we can help as many Ukrainian refugees as possible.

The best thing about Keep Them Warm is that you immediately see the impact one ride can have. Every little bit helps—and together we can truly make a difference.

Hi! I'm Julia, and together with Puck, I organize the activities for Keep Them Warm. Our goal? To raise awareness, raise donations, and inspire as many people as possible to take a ride.

I discovered this wonderful initiative through its Instagram page. I was immediately impressed by its impact and knew: I want to contribute. In a world where the news often only shows misery, it feels good to contribute something positive.

I'm looking forward to making the most of this year. Do you have a fun idea for an activity? Feel free to send me a message!