A small tech startup company in the Haymarket is taking the lead in getting their employees in Ukraine evacuated to safety.
Neil Emeigh is the CEO of Sprious and tells KLIN News their team is spread over a dozen countries globally with 19 employees in Ukraine. After Russia attacked, they started researching traffic and Russian attack locations to direct their employee to safety.
Emeigh tells KLIN News, “We have gotten most of the them moved west to a small mountain town hidden from the city. They are very safe and very far west. There are 15 of them there and three are in Kyiv and another near Kyiv. The ones in Kyiv hear bombs going off close to their homes. There is one guy, two days ago, an apartment right next to his was blown up by a rocket. After he saw that it was enough to shake him to say I need to get out of here.”
Sprious was able to secure a private security company with armed professions that were able to take three per car From Kyiv to the west. It cost $5,000 a car. They were able to take three car loads. Others found another way to get to safety. Emeigh says a four hour car ride now takes 15 hours and involves road blocks, check points, and checking permits. Several workers decided to remain in Ukraine with one registering to be part of the military . Others are taking support roles.
Emeigh says there are 15 workers in a big house in the west. They spent $15,000 on an Air B&B for the next two months. They are also buying food and hygiene products during their stay. Many of the workers brought their wives, children, and other family members with them.
Emeigh says, “They are humble. Some of them have said several times we helped save their lives. One of them we helped to evacuate questioned if he wanted to leave Kyiv. Hours later, right next door, a missile hit the building. He was with his wife, his mom and his daughter and said they needed out of there. We were able to get a hold of the security company and get them out of there. It is humbling but they have been loyal and dedicated to this company long enough, there is no question we were going to do this for them.”
Sprious has set up a Go-Fund-Me account if anyone wants to help contribute to their efforts. Click here for details.