How we work

We collect goods, distribute them ourselves, work with local partners in Ukraine, and engage with the people we help to understand their needs.

Where we operate

We operate in areas near the frontline, where communities are completely dependent 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

    MARKETING MANAGER

    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.

  • Een oudere man met een bril glimlacht naar de camera, zit buiten op een terras, met een straat en winkels op de achtergrond.

    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.

  • Een lachende man met kort donker haar, gekleed in een jas met een geruite sjaal, binnen in een kamer met witte gordijnen en donkere muren.

    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.

  • Man staat naast een campagnebus voor Dutch Civilian Action, dat een deels blauwe, gele en zwarte kleur heeft en een QR-code op de zijkant. Hij leunt op de rand van het raam, glimlacht en heeft kort, lichtbruin haar.

    Maarten Vleugels

    VOLUNTEER
    MECHANIC & ENGINEER

  • Portret van een jonge vrouw met lang, blond, golvend haar, glimlach, zittend voor een raam met groene bomen op de achtergrond.

    Lena Balakina

    VOLUNTEER

  • Man staat op het dak van een bestelwagen, geeft een duim omhoog, en kijkt blij.

    René Vullings

    VOLUNTEER

  • Man in militaire uitrusting met body armor in een buitenomgeving met afval en beschadigde gebouwen.

    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.

  • Man in een blauwe hoodie en groene werkhandschoenen staat buiten, met armen gekruist, voor een witte muur met een lange schaduw en een horizontale lijn in de achtergrond.

    Arnout van Kleef

    VOLUNTEER WAREHOUSING

    Arnout has been active in the humanitarian effort for Ukranians for over two years now and also works as a volunteer medic.

  • Vrouw glimlachend in een magazijn met gestapelde bananenverpakkingen.

    Iana Kossova

    VOLUNTEER WAREHOUSING

    I’m is Ukrainian motion creative designer with background in social work. Being helpful and being agent of change, while bing part of DCA is great joy

  • Ivan Marchuk

    VOLUNTEER

    I believe it’s important to help those who resist an unprovoked invasion and fight for all of us.

  • Man die in een magazijn met bananenverpakkingen een doos vastpakt

    Midas Meester

    VOLUNTEER

    Today, more than yesterday, Ukraine needs our help. Everyday again. It's amazing to see how Dutch Civilian Action raise the effort, despite political tides or the craze of the day. Glad to help.

  • Man in magazijn met dozen en pallets, hij kijkt naar een rol plasticfolie.

    Haitze

    VOLUNTEER

    As a medical physician, having experience with sending medical goods and equipment to Africa; now recognizing the need to support Ukraine and contributing to the good work that Dutch Civilian Action is doing.

  • Vrouw met zwart haar houdt een camera vast in een bergachtig landschap met een droge rivierbedding.

    Gakkú

    Volunteer

    Gakku is an architect and creative strategist with a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling and content creation. Originally from Kazakhstan—a country closely tied to the region—she’s happy to support Dutch Civilian Action with her creative skills.

  • Man neemt selfie voor beschadigde gebouwen in een woonwijk met een opgestoken duim, op een bewolkte dag.

    Ralph

    Volunteer

  • David

    Volunteer

Meet our local partners

  • Bogdan

    Bogdan lives in Kramatorsk, near the frontline. Every day, he evacuates civilians from the most dangerous areas in Ukraine.

  • Vova

    In Makariv, near Kyiv, Vova helps families who have fled frontline areas to build a new life. With housing, guidance to work for parents, and education for children.

  • Olga

    Igor and Olga provide weekly material and psychosocial support to 400 internally displaced persons in Kharkiv.

  • Igor

    Igor and Olga provide weekly material and psychosocial support to 400 internally displaced persons in Kharkiv.

  • Lena

    Lena works at DHL and helps us transport humanitarian goods to eastern Ukraine.

  • Anatolii

    Anatolii brings humanitarian aid to areas close to the frontline. Together with him, we have opened an underground school and a community center in Kharkiv.

  • Boris

    Boris helped more than 100 children near Pokrovsk before his village was occupied. Now he supports his community in Dnipro.

  • Andriy, Sasha, Luda and Ksenya

    Andriy, Sasha, Luda, and Ksenya provide humanitarian aid to civilians living near the frontline.