Free post and telco services to Ukraine

Tuesday 01 March 2022

Guernsey Post and telecoms businesses are offering free services to Ukraine.

All telecoms providers are offering free calls and texts to Ukraine and Guernsey Post is offering free postage for humanitarian aid packages and parcels to friends and family sent to Ukraine.

Guernsey Post will be working with Polish-based organisation Help Ukraine to despatch parcels to a warehouse in Poland. Arrangements will then be made for onward transport to Ukraine. 

Help Ukraine has identified an urgent need for medicines, food rations, blankets and other humanitarian assistance. Details are available HERE.

The content of all packages must be able to withstand handling without breaking and must be clearly marked 'HELP UKRAINE' and addressed to 'Help Ukraine, Pol-Cel, Rampa Brzeska 63, 22-100 Chelm, Poland'.

It will also be possible to send parcels directly to friends and relatives in Ukraine free of charge via the counter at Envoy House, Guernsey Post's headquarters. 

Guernsey Post has advised that delays are "almost certain" given the current circumstances. 

Pictured: Guernsey Post is offering free services for parcels to Ukraine.

All local telecoms businesses have dropped charges for calls and texts to Ukraine. 

Sure Group CEO Alistair Beak said the company will also credit customer's accounts for any use since 23 February. 

“We’ve all been seeing the events unfold in Ukraine and recognise the devastating impact,” he said. 

“We understand the importance of being able to connect with family and friends, especially at this time, so we are providing support for those islanders who have loved ones in the region.

“We want to help in any way we can, however small. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”

Pictured: Sure Group CEO Alistair Beak.

Airtel-Vodafone Head of Sale and Marketing Peter Zunino said charges backdated to 20 February will be waived. 

"Our thoughts go out to anybody affected during these distressing times and we are pleased to help in the best way that we know - by offering anybody in the Channel Islands with links to the Ukraine to stay in touch with their loved ones free of charge," he said. 

"Whilst we work to implement the change in our billing system, customers can be assured that any charges for calls and SMS to Ukraine from 20 February onwards will be waived."

JT is also offering free services to Ukraine.

JT said: "We have all seen the deeply disturbing images and news coming from Ukraine and our hearts go out to the people caught up in this tragedy.

"We want to do what we can to help...we hope making phone calls free will support those who are trying to contact and stay in touch with friends and loved ones.”