Liev Schreiber Discusses His Efforts to Deliver Aid to Ukraine at Karlovy Vary Film Festival
variety.comWill Tizard ContributorWhen Liev Schreiber first encountered how ordinary Ukrainians on the ground are handling the vast and urgent crises brought on by the Russian war, he says, one thing was clear to him immediately: “They were doing all the work.”Speaking about his non-profit BlueCheck Ukraine at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival on Saturday, the actor/writer/producer explained this realization is central to his newly organized efforts to help.Schreiber was also motivated to found BlueCheck Ukraine after hearing many Americans express doubt about whether funds donated to the war relief effort would reach those most in need.
Westerners are skeptical about transparency in Eastern Europe, he learned, likely because of the region’s history of corruption and waste.
So he met with experts with organizations on the ground and they decided that donors needed an organization that could certify dollars given would be used effectively – something many large non-profits cannot do because they simply hire local subcontractors to distribute aid.Knowing the facts in such a fast-changing environment is crucial, Schreiber added. “Chaos and misinformation – this is something Putin’s counting on.”Another instant insight he’s gained since dedicating himself and a few friends to organizing help, said Schreiber, is that responding to the needs of those upended by war “is a moving target.”Initially traveling to Poland to help chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen organization to feed some of the millions of Ukrainian refugees, he explained, his team was perplexed shortly after Easter this year when the crowds of migrants dropped from 10,000 a day to 900 or so.It was clear many Ukrainians were headed back home, even though missiles were –.
Read more on variety.com