Help Ivan During the Crisis in Ukraine

Hi, my name is Rick, and I help to represent the men & women of the Atlantic Maritime Employees Union. One of our shipmates, Ivan Nehoda, lives in Ukraine and works as an American Merchant Seaman.

Recently, Ivan was aboard one of the ships when the war in Ukraine broke out. Our shipmates were very concerned, but knew that Ivan had to make it home to his family and all of the uncertainty that awaited him. Unfortunately, at this point, communication with him is very sporadic. Due to these unfortunate circumstances, Ivan's future looks questionable.

Ivan is a good shipmate, a husband, and a loving father of six children. We are asking for help because of the uncertainty that he and his family face. His emails indicate that currently, he is helping in his church with refugees, sixty to seventy people a day, feeding and clothing them while trying to get them to the border. He reports that there are ten family members under his roof that are trying to care for each other. Money & food are short, but they are doing okay.

On top of that are the missile attacks occurring daily. He spoke of one day recently when there were six missile attacks, with one hitting a factory 600 feet from his house. Regrettably, we have no way of knowing how long he'll be gone from his seafaring job (which he is assured of having upon his return) or what fate he may suffer in this time of war. Our goal is to help his family in these dark times, should they need to be relocated or fall upon even more challenging times without his regular pay coming in.

We thank you for your consideration in providing some semblance of security for one of our brothers during this time of unrest.