Civil societies around the world have been following with shock and sorrow the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the quick developments of the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
Unlike with previous wars around the world, solely and mostly covered by the international media stream, people around the world are watching on social media the invasion as it unfurls, with all its disaster.
Videos uploaded on social media from the warring zones by the people and local resistance forces have been shaking civil societies around the world and triggering empathy.
Lebanon-born Alex Harb, owner of Meddys Restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, is among those emotionally affected by the unfurling conflict.
Harb grew up in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War, and the horrifying footage from Ukraine triggered in him vivid memories of past terrifying times.
He hence decided to take action and join the international efforts to help and support Ukraine. He is doing so by initiating a weekend fundraiser for the benefit of charities on the ground struggling with humanitarian relief.
On an Instagram post, he announced that starting Saturday, “in exchange for a donation of any size, we will give away custom T-shirts that read ‘We Stand With Ukraine.'”
He explained that the money raised from the T-Shirts plus 10% of their weekend sales revenue will be donated to the NGO Nova Ukraine, providing humanitarian relief in the country.
Alex Harb moved to the United States from Lebanon in the 1990s to study computer science major but later decided to pursue his passion as a restaurateur and opened Meddys in 2014 in Wichita, Kansas, to share the authentic Lebanese cuisine from his childhood.
