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In the heart of Ukraine at war, Loïc Nervi, a baker from the Var, delivers bread every day to villages under the threat of drones and missiles. With his team, he provides vital aid to isolated civilians, between permanent fear and the need to continue despite everything.
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Kilometers under anti-drone nets. The front line is close, and the road is deserted. Loïc Nervi is a baker. He arrives from the Côte d’Azur. Like everyone else, he holds his breath. On site, a vehicle was hit by a drone. The Ukrainian team accompanying him is experienced in war. That day, Loïc and Yves, another French volunteer, will deliver bread to a village cut off from the world, targeted daily by drones and Russian missiles.
You must equip yourself with bulletproof vests and heavy helmets. “I know nothing at all about war. I am a real civilian. I come to deliver bread, where people are suffering. These are not visions that we like to see and what we hoped to see in our country”, confides Loïc Nervi, from the association “The baker without borders”.
The civilian takes risks to help the Ukrainians. In the devastated village, everywhere, the traces of the war. On arrival, the residents gather around the truck and the delivery can begin. We must act quickly, because of the threat coming from the sky. If spotted, the Russians can strike at any time. Despite the anxiety, smiles and laughter. “It’s delicious. Thank you very much”shares a Ukrainian.
Today, there are only 35 people left out of the 500 who lived in the village. Everyone is dependent on humanitarian aid and initiatives like that of Loïc, the French baker. If he manages to make his own bread every morning in Ukraine, it’s thanks to a mobile bakery. The idea came to him at the start of the invasion. He didn’t want to stand by and do nothing. Every day, he bakes up to 1,000 loaves, a colossal job. “We don’t get used to the bombings, it’s always a tragedy. That’s what forces us, Yves and me, to come back, to do work, to make our small contribution to the resistance” says the baker.
After three weeks in Ukraine, return to the Var. Loïca returned to work in her bakery. His family, his friends, his employees are proud of him. But Loïc is especially not looking for compliments: he wants action.
- Â Agier & Soutenir l’Ukraine
- CAM Ukraine
- You are not alone
- Switlo
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