Langford mayor, former fire chief return from aid mission to Ukraine
The mayor of Langford, B.C., and the city's retired fire chief are back in Canada after making a journey to Ukraine to provide humanitarian aid to people suffering amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
Mayor Stew Young and former fire chief Bob Beckett were part of an aid mission with charitable groups GlobalMedic and GlobalFire near the city of Lutsk in northwestern Ukraine.
The volunteers brought food aid to the region and hired displaced Ukrainians to prepare and distribute meals to those in need. They also laid the groundwork to provide much-needed firefighting gear to the region, including pallets of equipment that are now on the way overseas, according to the City of Langford.
The city says the volunteers met with municipal leaders, emergency responders and school officials to gain firsthand knowledge of the region's needs as the charities plan to expand their Ukrainian aid work.
"Participating in this humanitarian aid mission has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life," Young said in a statement Monday.
"It has demonstrated to me that not only are our humanitarian efforts critical, but everything needs to be done to resolve this conflict and provide for everlasting peace."
Langford says it has signed sister-city agreements with four municipalities in the Lutsk region.
"The agreements will help tie Langford with the Lutsk region for years to come – through the war, through rebuilding and regional recovery," the city said.
"Every place we visited, everyone we spoke to, reinforced for me that throughout the world we all want the same for our families and communities. A roof over everyone’s head, food on the table, a future for our children and to live in peace," said Beckett. "With stocks diminishing and winter looming, and despite their future looking bleak, the peoples' resolve to defend their families, their country and sovereignty has not waivered."
The Langford-GlobalMedic Ukraine Humanitarian Project is funded entirely through donations, according to the city.
Anyone wishing to help support the ongoing efforts in the region can donate here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.