How we operate

We collect goods, distribute them ourselves, working alongside local volunteers in Ukraine, and engage with the people we're helping to understand their needs.

‘‘Thank you for every call you make from your country to say hello and ask how we are doing in this terrible time. It means so much to us.’’

— Sergey from Kherson

Where we operate

We operate in areas near the frontline, with a focus on liberated regions where communities rely entirely on humanitarian aid.

Meet the Team

  • Bas Spijker

    FOUNDER

    With an MScBA background, Bas left his previous job to fully commit to assisting Ukraine. As the founder of this foundation, he is eager to apply entrepreneurial spirit and readiness to address any essential tasks.

  • James Pawlak

    MISSION LEADER

    With MA in Cross-cultural Studies and twenty years of experience working in conflict-affected regions, in the former Soviet Union, James brings a deep understanding of local culture, fluency in languages, and unwavering dedication.

  • Lieke Heil

    CONTENT MARKETER

    As a documentary filmmaker, Lieke is motivated to showcase the impact of the ongoing war on civilians and the crucial work of Dutch Civilian Action. She created the documentary "Present Are the Absent," which was shown on Dutch television (VPRO).

  • Roel van Beem

    BOARD MEMBER
    CHAIRMAN

    After completing his MSc in Marketing and collaborating with Bas in a self-organizing company, Roel is now committed to serving as the Chairman, leveraging his skills and dedication to make a meaningful impact with DCA and to help other companies become self-organizing as well, including Dutch Civilian Action.

  • Jeroen Martinot

    BOARD MEMBER
    TREASURER

    As a 'financial man,' Jeroen has been involved in numerous international projects and is happy to offer assistance, advice, and help establish a solid financial structure.

  • Aengus Havinga

    BOARD MEMBER
    SECRETARY

    With a background as a technical coordinator and artist, Aengus has a passion for creating unique and well-organized experiences.

  • Maarten Vleugels

    VOLUNTEER
    MECHANIC & ENGINEER

  • Lena Balakina

    VOLUNTEER

  • René Vullings

    VOLUNTEER
    GRAPHIC DESIGN

  • Tobias Braam

    VOLUNTEER
    GROWTH MARKETING

    As marketer, Tobias supports companies with his growth marketing agency Swell. With a solid background in Growth Marketing at eBay and Amazon, he is happy to dedicate time for worthwhile causes which make this planet a better place to live on.

  • Kateryna Surkova

    VOLUNTEER

    As a Ukrainian who moved to the Netherlands due to the war, Kateryna still wants to be useful to her country. With a background in communication and content creation, Kateryna joined DCA to showcase the work of the DCA team on social media.

  • Tomas Bakker

    Tomas Bakker

    VOLUNTEER
    FINANCE SUPPORT

  • Ruben van Maris

    VOLUNTEER
    WAREHOUSING

    I have a warm heart for Ukraine because my fiancée is from there. It is a beautiful country. We regularly go back for family visits. It’s terrible to see the state the country is in. Help is desperately needed.

  • Natalia Mavignier

    VOLUNTEER

    As an existential therapist and professional copywriter who believes in harnessing the power of communication to generate good in the world, Natalia is proud to be a part of DCA and to play a small role in alleviating the suffering of those affected by the war in Ukraine.

  • Arnout van Kleef

    VOLUNTEER

Meet our local heroes

  • Boris Yakimenko

    Boris provides humanitarian assistance in the Donbass region near the frontline. Amidst poverty, destruction, and ongoing war, he creates a place for people, children, and the elderly to find emotional support and feel seen and heard.

  • Vova

    During the first months of the full-scale invasion, Vova evacuated people from heavily attacked areas. Now, he lends a helping hand wherever needed to those who fled their homes and found refuge in a center in Makarov.

  • Natalia

    Natalia assists widows and their children in coping with the loss of loved ones who fought for their country's freedom. She organizes gatherings, events, psychological help, and provides basic needs such as food.

  • Igor

    Igor from the Kharkiv Benevolent Foundation 'HELP WINDOW' is providing careful support to internal refugees in Kharkiv with material and psychological assistance. He is also delivering humanitarian aid to cities and villages in the Kharkiv region and to people living in de-occupied territories.

  • Andriy, Sasha, Luda and Ksenya

    Andriy, Sasha, Luda, and Ksenya provide humanitarian aid to civilians living near the frontline and homeless people with tuberculosis in Kyiv, who are often forgotten due to the ongoing war. They bring food, sing songs, and give empowering speeches, paying attention to each person.