{"id":15710,"date":"2026-07-24T14:24:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tavidraugi.lv\/?p=15710"},"modified":"2026-07-24T14:37:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:37:48","slug":"arson-attack-at-tavi-draugi-charity-base-organization-continues-its-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tavidraugi.lv\/en\/2026\/07\/24\/arson-attack-at-tavi-draugi-charity-base-organization-continues-its-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Arson Attack at “Tavi draugi” Charity Base; Organization Continues Its Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the night of 19 July<\/strong>, the premises of the charity organization “Tavi draugi”<\/strong>, located at 23 Lape\u0146u Street, Riga<\/strong>, were broken into and deliberately set on fire. As a result, the organization’s office, warehouse, and logistics center sustained severe damage. Despite the incident, “Tavi draugi” continues its work and support for people in Latvia, as well as Ukrainian civilians and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A criminal investigation is currently underway, and the organization is cooperating with the relevant authorities. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. The blaze destroyed approximately 250 square metres<\/strong>, while the entire 1,000-square-metre<\/strong> rented building suffered damage. The full extent of the losses is still being assessed, but it is already clear that donations intended for people in Latvia, Ukrainian civilians, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been destroyed.<\/p>\n

Despite the attack, “Tavi draugi”<\/strong> continues all of its key activities, including accepting and sorting donations, delivering humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians and the Armed Forces, distributing food parcels three times a week to vulnerable Ukrainian civilians and people in need in Latvia, operating its vehicle department (transporting donated and confiscated vehicles to Ukraine free of charge), organizing camouflage net weaving workshops across Latvia, implementing civilian infrastructure reconstruction projects in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and carrying out many other charitable initiatives.<\/p>\n

The organization’s Charity Shop<\/strong> at 32 Gertr\u016bdes Street, Riga<\/strong>, and its concept store “Spogulis”<\/strong> at 23 Gertr\u016bdes Street<\/strong> also remain open. Donations are still being accepted at the organization’s base at 23 Lape\u0146u Street<\/strong>, where a donation container has been placed.<\/p>\n

Ulvis Noviks, Head of “Tavi draugi”:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The fire was caused by deliberate arson. Surveillance camera footage has been handed over to the responsible authorities, who are investigating the motives of those responsible. ‘Tavi draugi’ has not stopped its work, and we continue to support people in need in Latvia, as well as Ukrainian civilians and the Armed Forces. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has already supported us in maintaining our operations, and we ask for your continued help and involvement so that our work can continue.”<\/em><\/p>\n

How can you help right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n