The Impact of Aid on Ukraine’s Beekeepers

Greater Good Charities recently sent a field team to meet with some of the 120 Ukrainian beekeepers who received aid after their colonies were destroyed in the early months of war. These meetings were emotional, filled with tears and gratitude. Our work in Ukraine not only supports bees and the ecosystem but also helps play an important economic role in the region by supporting beekeepers who have lost everything.

Photo © Oro Whitley

Beekeeping in Ukraine

Beekeeping is a significant industry in Ukraine, as they are one of the primary suppliers of honey in the region. However, this industry has been severely affected by the ongoing war. Beekeepers have been forced to leave their homes and abandon their hives. Due to the lack of attention, bee colonies can suffer from diseases and verona mites, which can be fatal for hives. The bees that survive face difficulty in searching for food, as numerous plants and flowers have been destroyed.