We’re With U: We Choose Not to Be Neutral
by Martine Abel-Williamson
From the Editor: The “We’re With U” concert is symbolic of so much that we in the National Federation of the Blind and our colleagues in the World Blind Union have come together to demonstrate. We, the too often down and out, the too often underestimated, the too often counted out when it comes to thoughts about meaningful contributions—we long ago decided that this would not be our place in the world. This was not a one-time decision; it only has meaning if the commitment of love, energy, and resources is ongoing. Improving the lives of the blind means choosing action over apathy, hope over hopelessness, and never letting the realization that we cannot change everything for the better in one day stand in the way of our doing what we can when we can.
Martine is the president of the World Blind Union and has long been active in the affairs of the world. Here is what she has to say about the “We’re With U” Concert:
It’s a great pleasure to meet you in my role as WBU president, although the situation of me checking in with you at this time is extraordinarily unfortunate. I met some of you when I attended your 2019 Convention in Las Vegas, and I do hope I’ll enjoy the experience again.
I now live in New Zealand, but I was born in Namibia and spent most of my childhood years in South Africa, and, it was a fellow South African, Desmond Tutu, who said it simply, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
Yes, I was as equally shocked as many others when Russia invaded the Ukraine. I couldn’t believe it—in today’s day and age!
At the WBU level, we realized we needed to act swiftly in the most appropriate way. We’re not a humanitarian or international aid organization, but in these situations we need to do what we do best, so we established the Ukrainian Unity Fund.
Many blind people also told us they’d wish to contribute in a creative and meaningful fashion, and that’s how the Ukraine Unity Fund met with the “We’re with U” Ukraine benefit concert [hashtag #BlindWithU on social media].
So, based in New Zealand, at 6 a.m., Sunday, 17 April, I tuned into the start of the We’re With U Ukraine benefit concert, and I remained tuned in until around 7:15 p.m. that day. It was an honor to experience the solidarity, the effort, the talent, and the witnessing of financial contribution on that day, and which are still going as we speak. When the World Blind Union (WBU) established the Ukrainian Unity Fund, we didn’t realize just how people would rally and stand together—not just to raise funds but to give of their time and unique talent, in other words, to give of their soul!
I want to use this opportunity to assure people that the WBU will act in good faith and with due diligence when attributing the funds you’ve so generously contributed. The following principles are meant to guide decision-making concerning how funds from the Ukrainian Unity Fund are disbursed.
- WBU will endeavor to partner with disability organizations and mainstream relief organizations. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and other formal agreements will be developed as needed to govern these partnerships.
- In addition to the principles below focused on humanitarian relief, WBU will advocate for systemic change regarding a more inclusive response to war and other disasters. The primary purpose of the Ukrainian Unity Fund will be to assist blind and partially sighted Ukrainians directly; however, some of the funds may be directed toward advocacy initiatives to have a long-lasting impact.
- Due to legal constraints, WBU will not be able to provide financial and/or other resources directly to individuals. However, direct aid may be possible through established partnerships.
- WBU will focus support on those who are blind or partially sighted; however, those assisting the blind/partially sighted individual, such as family and friends, may also benefit from the supports.
- WBU will try to focus support on needs related to blindness, such as assistive technology, blindness skills training, and access to apps like Aira, as opposed to core needs like shelter and food. However, where core needs exist, if WBU is the only or the most suitable organization able to assist, then WBU will assist with core needs.
- WBU will assist both those still living in Ukraine and those who have fled to other countries. Supports may relate to responding to the emergency, such as support with evacuation, or may relate to assisting those who are adjusting after being displaced, such as replacing lost adaptive equipment.
- Funds may also be used to support rebuilding efforts once the war is over. This could include replacing damaged adaptive equipment or supplying Braille paper to a school for the blind.
- WBU will endeavor to disburse the funds in a timely manner while doing so in a way that is responsible.
I also wish to use this opportunity to thank the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Jonathan Mosen and his crew at Mushroom FM for your tremendous support in helping us to raise these funds and to promote the amazing concert. So, let’s keep on demonstrating our support to our fellow blind and vision-impaired Ukrainians, their families, and the organizations and communities who are assisting them, for, as someone once very aptly reminded us: “Freedom is not free.”