Background

UAFORU started with a committed group of volunteers brought together by a shared sense of urgency and compassion in the face of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Our story began with Alberto Andreani, the driving force behind our mission. Alberto, a former Italian police officer, has over two decades of experience working with prominent international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations (UN), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

With a career dedicated to addressing complex issues like immigration, border management, and human trafficking, Alberto has been on the front lines of numerous humanitarian efforts across different regions. His deep understanding of international security and his commitment to helping those in need have been the cornerstone of his work.

When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Alberto's mission became personal. Concerned for the safety of his Ukrainian mother-in-law and other relatives trapped under bombardment in Kharkiv, he embarked on a journey to rescue them. What was meant to be a family mission quickly transformed into a larger operation, as Alberto ended up rescuing 40 people, including strangers he had never met before.

Inspired by Alberto's bravery and driven by the growing need for humanitarian assistance, UAFORU was formed. Under Alberto’s leadership, we have since dedicated ourselves to helping the most vulnerable individuals in Ukraine. At the request of the Mayor of Ternopil, our focus has been on establishing and maintaining humanitarian corridors to evacuate internally displaced persons—many of whom are elderly, disabled, or mothers with children—from conflict zones to safety in Austria, Italy and other European countries.

To date, our efforts have resulted in the successful evacuation of over 700 people. We continue to expand our operations, organizing weekly transports and providing ongoing support to those in need. Our mission is to save lives and offer a lifeline to those caught in the crossfire of conflict, guided by the extensive experience and unwavering dedication of our founder, Alberto Andreani.