A former chef at the Blue Heron Restaurant and Palace Prime, Rocky Durham is a well-known name in Santa Fe’s dining scene. Nearly three years ago, just after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, he and his wife, Emmy, felt the call to help. 

Rocky and Emmy, who are both fluent in Russian, sold their belongings and moved to Ukraine without a real plan but soon found their place. They founded a nonprofit, Durham Humanitarian, which has become part of an international network offering relief to refugees and helping deliver essentials to civilians and soldiers amid disrupted and damaged supply chains. 

During a brief visit to Santa Fe in late February, Rocky sat down with “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez to share his experience in the war-ravaged nation, provide his thoughts on America’s position on the war under President Donald Trump, and offers his insights on where things stand from his perspective.

To donate or learn more about the Durham Humanitarian, visit durhamhumanitarian.org.

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