[ripe-list] "Keep Ukraine Connected" initiative: request for fiber optic welder/splicer kits and UPS systems

Dear RIPE community,

Sorry for another rather long email, but there are more and more requests from
Ukraine operators coming in and we have no other way of getting specific
equipment other than ask you - the community!

Lately we got specific requests for fiber optics welding/splicing kits,
specially from Kharkiv region that is/was under brutal attacks and lots of
infrastructure is damaged. Let me copy/paste parts of messages that keep coming
in so you get the feeling what people that are trying to keep the lights on in
the fibers in Ukraine are dealing with:

"In Kharkiv we provide continuous network access to other Ukrainian operators
and providers. Our network suffers critical loads now because of shelling, and
our co-workers  repair it, sometimes, under the shots. We lack necessary
equipment and tools and are not able to order. There is an urgent need  for an
optical fiber welding machine  ( as we have to work in difficult conditions).
The amount of work is growing, but the maintenance is missing.
 We want to ask you, if it’s possible, to give us at least one machine fujikura
or fitel. We’ll be glad to receive even a used one, the most important is it
should work."

"I also wanted to ask - Do you have, maybe some power backup systems?  Also
there are our partners in the city - internet provider, who have de-energized
nodes for 2-3 thousand active subscribers, in which there is simply no
electricity ..."

"is there any possibility to send some more of the same optical fiber machines?
and if it is possible two or three of the simplest optical reflectometers."

We are getting more and more similar requests, so our question to community
would be if anyone has any new/used/spare FO welding/splicing kit to donate to
Ukraine friends to keep the Internet up&running and people connected? Same goes
for UPS systems...

We at GNA have secured one Fujikura 41S+ Fusion Splicer Kit with CT50 Cleaver -
partially donated by one of their distributors, partially covered by money
donations to GNA "Keep Ukraine Connected" initiative that many of you sent in
last couple of weeks and we are very grateful for!!!

First delivery of requested hardware to Ukraine is now being coordinated with
with our colleagues from the Ukrainian Association of Rights Holders and Content
Providers, the Ukrainian Internet Association (UAI) and Ukraine Ministry of
Digital Transformation and will take place next week.

We would like to secure more fiber optics repair equipment and UPS systems
before next delivery, so please - if you are willing and can help - contact us
at ukraine at nogalliance.org for hardware donation or donate some funds at below
web page so we are able to purchase needed equipment and send it to Ukraine with
next delivery.

https://keepukraineconnected.org/

Thank you again, Jan Žorž
on behalf of GNA/KUC initiative