Redeia wanted to add its support to the Ukraine population during the worst humanitarian crisis to hit Europe since the Second World War, which has resulted in over 17,000 civilian casualties (nearly 7,000 deceased and over 10,000 injured, including more than 1,300 children) and forced a third of the population from their homes. According to the United Nations, nearly 8 million people have fled the country (mostly women and children), and 6.5 million have been internally displaced.

The charity exhibition Vidas Prestadas (Borrowed Lives), which includes 68 images taken over the last few months by Pío Cabanillas of various families and members of the Ukrainian refugee community in and around Madrid, is sponsored by Redeia. A clear invitation to consider the different aspects and consequences of war as well as what it means to be a refugee has been made by the way Cabanillas' lens has captured the life of the Ukrainian population here and the vicissitudes they are experiencing.

All the money raised from the sale of the photos will go to the NGO Ukrainian Lives, an NGO recognized by the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain and founded by Ukrainian volunteers based in Spain. Ukrainian Lives works to make it easier for refugees in our country and the affected population in Ukraine to access basic resources such as clothing, food, and medicine, as well as the exercise of their fundamental human rights. Since the end of February 2022, the group has organized a caravan circuit from Spain to Poland, conveying more than 100 tons of aid, performing more than 370 humanitarian actions, and assisting 110 families in finding shelter and safety in Spain.

"Millions of Ukrainians have found that fleeing their homes and even their country is the only way to save their lives. International solidarity from states, companies, and individuals is essential to alleviating the consequences of this humanitarian crisis. Redeia could not let them down,” says Beatriz Corredor, Redeia’s chairwoman.

"We would especially want to thank Redeia for supporting this event and reiterate the transcendental importance of any aid we can receive from the public," said Anastasiya Zabiyaka, vice president of Ukrainian Lives.

Pío Cabanillas, on the other hand, adds: "Contributing to this cause with the donation of my photographs brings with it the personal satisfaction of having provided a channel of support to so many needy families with whom I have lived in recent months and who have given me a lesson in courage, resilience, and love for their country that is hard to forget.”

The exhibition will run from January 31 to February 4 at the Espacio Mados gallery in Madrid. The inauguration will take place today, Monday 30 at 7 p.m. "It is an honour to host Vidas Prestadas and to offer these families small or large amounts of assistance, but together they will bring about big changes," said María Levenfeld, director of the Espacio Mados gallery.