iColorama Developer in Ukraine – Latest!
Monday, 28 February 2022, – 15.17 pm GMT I am limited in what I can write but this video, shows “the start of the travel, a long queue of cars that ends in a long queue of people, mainly women with children. 10 hours of waiting“, explained Teresita. One thing she wanted me to mention in particular is how good the Red Cross have been, the support and food has been extraordinary as well as the volunteers in Poland.
Monday, 28 February 2022, 07.33 am GMT – Teresita expressed “I’m in Poland now 100% safe, thanks for the help”. I will share more when I have been assured it is safe to do so. Know that Teresita is now safe, our prayers have been answered.
Sunday 27 February 2022, 8.38 am GMT – Teresita wrote to me “almost out, I will try to write something to you, when we are safe 100%”
Saturday 26 February 2022 – Some of you may or may not be aware that the developer of the hugely popular mobile art app, iColorama, is in the Ukraine.
We have been and continue to be in regular contact with her during this time of fierce fighting during the Ukraine war.
She has just sent me the following images, some are of her family who are currently in a bunker in Kyiv. The developer herself is in Lviv, which she describes as ‘far from there and relatively safe’. She is planning to reach Poland for safety soon but the train station at Lviv is currently ‘full of people trying to travel out of the country’. She has also taken the step to remove all of her apps which include @videolut and @icolorama from the Russian Apple App Store and urges other developers to do the same.
Here at the photos that she has sent me so far:
How you can help…
Russia’s invasion and bombing campaign has sparked outrage, with many in the UK asking how they can help the people of Ukraine.
Support local charities
There are several Ukrainian charities working on the ground. Sunflower of Peace is a charity that helps paramedics and doctors, and has been fundraising for supplies, which includes first aid medical tactical backpacks.
United Help Ukraine focuses on providing medical supplies and humanitarian aid, and raising awareness of the conflict.
Voices of Children aims to help children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine, providing support through art therapy, psychologists, video storytelling and a number of other methods.
The British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to help Ukraine. The charity will be updating its webpage with news on the work its team is doing, and how support will be used to help people.
Support local journalism
English-language news outlets based in the country, such as Kyiv Independent and the New Voice of Ukraine, are covering developments on the ground as the conflict unfolds, using local journalists. The Kyiv Independent says it was created by journalists in order to defend editorial independence. This site on Twitter covers many local journalists in Ukraine.
Write to your local MP
This can be a way to lobby the British government to place further sanctions on the Russian government and its associates. You can get in touch with your local MP via email or post to their constituency address. Instructions on how to get in touch can be found on parliament.uk.