A major humanitarian aid operation is underway in Ukraine, and not only have tens of thousands of New Zealand dollars contributed to it - two Kiwis are at the heart of it.
The convoy will take much-needed food to some of the hardest-hit cities around Ukraine, including the fighting hot spot Kharkiv.
And that is where former Defence Minister Ron Mark will be heading. Having joined the mission in a bid to get a better idea of the true scale of this war and how New Zealand can help going forward.
Owen Ponama from Hawke's Bay and his friend Ron Mark are stepping into the war zone, taking 80 tonnes of food with them.
"It is a big week," Mark said.
A crossing few others dare to make. It's a two-hour drive through farmland that hides Ukraine's soldiers on high alert, and then the work begins.
Small town Dunavisti plays host to a hub of frenetic energy where volunteers load, stack, lug and wheel many items, including cabbages, onions, milk, potatoes, gherkins, corn and flour.
The food is life-saving aid for starving Ukrainians. And it's the difference that donated dollars from Kiwis can make on the war.
"I'd be surprised if it's not over $80,000, close to $100,000," Ponama said.
Ponama spearheaded the fundraising effort from Hawke's Bay, having already made eight trips to Ukraine since the Russian assault began.
"I've stood in the shower for an hour trying to wash off the smell of war."
Because humanitarian aid is the peaceful beginning of a high-risk operation.
"Where we're going is hell," Mark said.
The aid convoy will then head east, stopping at hot spots like Kharkiv.
Twenty vehicles have been filled up with food, destined for eight separate cities. When they arrive, they will be unloaded and then the vehicles will be filled back up with refugees to take to safety.
The aim is to evacuate 3000 people, but it's getting harder to convince defiant Ukrainians to leave their homeland.
"Therein lies a logistical challenge now, because they have to be fed, they have to be clothed. They have to be housed, their houses are destroyed, there are no supermarkets," Mark told Newhsub.
The Christian organisation behind the mega operation are The Great Commission Society - they vow to keep bringing aid for as long as it's needed.
"In the two months, we've delivered over 900 tonnes of aid, which does include medicine, and we've evacuated 57,500 people so far," said Co-founder Tony Anthony.
Ten-year-old Nika wants to do her bit to help her fellow Ukrainians because she's worried.
"World War Three could possibly happen."
Mark is worried too that New Zealand isn't doing enough.
" I do know that a whole host of other leaders from around the world have been to Kyiv, have spoken to president Zelensky, have already been here physically to demonstrate they're not fearful."
