Our History
Van For Life was born in Geneva in 2022, when a few citizens decided not to remain mere spectators in the face of the war in Ukraine. With a simple van loaded with medical supplies and essential goods, the first humanitarian convoys set out. This spontaneous gesture quickly grew into a structured collective movement, which would become a recognized NGO.
Although the two Swiss entrepreneur brothers Dimitri & Alex, had already carried out sporadic personal initiatives, February 24, 2022, marked the true turning point.
On that day, Ukraine was massively attacked by Russia, and millions of people—mostly women and children—were suddenly forced onto the roads in the middle of winter, with no option other than to flee the conflict. Europe, previously incredulous, was shocked, and the competent structures were caught off guard. In response, authorities decided to open the Schengen borders to Ukrainian refugees and guaranteed them asylum.
Exasperated by the succession of tragic stories reported in the media, the founders quickly assembled a team to organize a humanitarian convoy. Their professional expertise not only provided vehicles but also logistical know-how.
Through contacts with Swiss and Polish associations, enabling the coordination and optimization of the convoys, twelve drivers volunteered, a fundraising campaign was launched, and no less than six tons of urgent medical supplies—distributed across six vans—were delivered to the south-eastern border between Poland and Ukraine. On the return trip, the team brought back 18 refugees, who were hosted by private families, including the founders’ own. You can also watch the RTS report “Mise au Point” , which chronicles this first mission.
Faced with the urgent situation and the high level of distress on the ground, it quickly became clear that a dedicated structure was needed. The Constitutive General Assembly of March 29, 2022, transformed what was meant to be a one-off action into a formal and lasting organization. Within just a few months, the NGO had established a full humanitarian supply chain: six additional convoys were organized, four vans were deployed to the field to ensure targeted and continuous aid, dozens of tons of material support were delivered, and 137 people in need were brought to Switzerland and accommodated.
Since these first missions, Van For Life has multiplied its actions—not only in Ukraine but also sporadically along European migration routes—providing vital support to local NGOs. It has delivered essential supplies to Calais, the French-Italian Alps, and the Poland-Belarus border. Furthermore, since January 2025, Van For Life has provided long-term support to the medical NGO Med’Equali Team in Greece, helping reduce barriers to healthcare for displaced and vulnerable people.
To date, Van For Life has assisted over 20,000 direct beneficiaries, traveled hundreds of thousands of kilometers, and delivered hundreds of tons of humanitarian supplies. But the story does not end there: needs continue to grow, both within crisis countries, along migration routes, and in host nations. This is why Van For Life has established an Emergency Fund, which it aims to expand, to act swiftly where needs are most urgent.
To learn more about our current projects, please visit our dedicated page.
