In May 2025, the Wittlich working group of the German section of the ISHR organized the 587th humanitarian aid transport of the ISHR. This transport went to Ignalina, Lithuania, to support the Lithuanian section of the ISHR and marked the 218th aid transport of the ISHR to Lithuania.

The aid reached not only people in need in Lithuania but also many Ukrainian refugees who had sought refuge in Lithuania. Jurgita Samoskiene, the head of the ISHR section in Lithuania, and her team expressed their gratitude in a letter to the Wittlich group for the tireless efforts of their friends from Germany:

“Your support – be it through donations in kind, logistical help or personal time, is a moving sign of practical solidarity and humanity in action. Thanks to your energetic help, important relief supplies were able to arrive safely and on time. Your help was received with great gratitude on the ground. It does not only brings concrete relief in everyday life, but it also gives hope in difficult times.”

The transport had been awaited in Lithuania with excitement and joy. On the day of arrival, it had initially rained heavily, but after unloading the truck, the sun shone. What a beautiful picture of aid arriving and changing the situation for the better. The relief supplies were temporarily stored in the warehouse in Ignalina and in the following weeks, they were collected by several organizations for further use in the Dukstas and Mielagenai retirement homes, the Vidiskes secondary school, the Ignalina hospital, the Ignalina branch of Caritas, the Ignalina music school and even in Ukraine – at the Kremenchuk hospital, in the Dubno region and for the ‘Spartan’ association in Kiev.

Jurgita Samoskiene concluded her letter of thanks with the words:

“I would especially like to highlight your long-standing connection with the ISHR section in Lithuania. This cooperation is an impressive example of how much good can arise from continuous commitment, mutual trust, and compassion. On behalf of all those who were able to benefit from your help, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May your commitment continue to reach and inspire many people.”

Matthias K. Boehning
ISHR Secretary General