How You Can Help The People Of Ukraine Right Now
Image: Peter Lazar/Getty Images
Throughout the week we’ve all been bombarded with images of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to ramp up assaults on key Ukrainian cities, and the UN reported at least 136 Ukranian civilians have been killed so far, cautioning the toll is likely “much higher.” A full-blown humanitarian crisis is unfolding in front of our eyes, with more than 800,000 people been dsiplaced so far.
It's easy to feel powerless during moments like these — but you aren't. If you want to help the people of Ukraine, but you’re not sure how, the best way to get involved right now is through your wallet. There are large international aid organizations working around the clock to give aid to displaced families, as are regional grassroots groups on the ground. Consider making a donation to one of the organizations listed below to help the people of Ukraine wherever you are:
UNICEF
For the better part of the last decade, UNICEF has been working across eastern Ukraine to provide medical aid, food, and psychological support to an entire generation of children that has been traumatized by violence with Russia. Read more about their efforts in the region and donate here.
2. The Ukrainian Red Cross
Founded 101 years ago and comprised of over 4 million members, the Ukranian Red Cross has consistently shown up to aid Ukrainians during natural disasters, humanitarian crises, as well as civil conflicts. They provide sanitary materials and coordinate blood donations, as well as organizing educational services throughout the country. You can read more about their efforts here and donate here. You can also donate to the International Committe of the Red Cross which is ramping up it’s efforts in Ukraine.
3. CARE
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. The group is providing food, water, and hygiene supplies to Ukrainians displaced by armed conflict and organizers hope to build a fund that can reach four million people in need, especially women, girls, and the elderly. Donate here.
4. The Voices of Children Foundation
This Ukraine-based organization works with children, providing no-cost psychological support to those affected by conflicts like this one with art therapy and storytelling. The organization also provides financial support to families in need due to the effects of war. You can donate here, and if you’re interested you can also check out their digital storytelling project, where Ukranian children talk about what it's like to grow up in a war zone.
5. The International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Representatives from the International Rescue Committee are currently meeting with organizations in Poland and Ukraine, with the goal of assessing refugees’ needs and responding as quickly as possible. You can donate any amount you’d like to provide food, medical care, and emergency supplies, but the organization emphasizes that $108 will provide temporary shelter for eight displaced families. You can donate here.
6. Sunflower of Peace
Started years ago to provide backpacks of medical supplies to frontline doctors, Sunflower of Peace provides medical assistance and necessities in backpacks to displaced civilians and children in Ukraine. According to the group’s website, “Each backpack is designed for groups of 5 to 10 people and includes a variety of first aid supplies: bandages, anti hemorrhagic medicine like Quikclot and Celox, medical instruments, and a means for survival in extreme conditions.” Donate through this fundraiding page on Facebook.
7. Razom for Ukraine
Razom is a nonprofit that was specifically created for Ukrainian emergency response missions. They acquire first aid kits and other medical supplies in order to help those most directly impacted by the violence in Ukraine. You can donate via Facebook, and Razom is also providing updates on their Facebook page.
8. United Help Ukraine
United Help Ukraine provides humanitarian aid to people in Ukraine, focusing on distributing clothing, medical supplies, and other basic materials to people impacted by the conflict with Russia (both past and present). They also help rehabilitate wounded and traumatized soldiers. You can donate here via PayPal. .
9. Save The Children
Save the Children is currently working to provide food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash assistance. "We are gravely concerned for children in Ukraine, Afghanistan and around the world who might be caught in the middle of armed conflict, forced to flee their homes and exposed to injury, hunger and sub-zero temperatures," their website reads. You can donate here.
10. Vostok SOS
Another Ukraine-based organization, Vostok SOS works with the German-Swiss NGO Liberico to support immediate evacuation efforts for Ukrainians fleeing their homes, per TIME. The organization also has an emergency hotline for Ukranians, and those who call in can receive assistance with evacuation, as well as humanitarian aid and psychosocial support. You can donate here.
11. Caritas Ukraine
Caritas is an international Catholic organization, but they are indiscriminate in helping those in need. Founded in response to Russian hostilities in 2014, the organization has over 30 offices across Ukraine with more than 1,000 employees and volunteers. Currently, they are focused on aiding those in eastern Ukraine along with those who have fled westward. You can support Caritas here.
12. Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Since then, the organization has expanded in size to reach more than 100 million people in 101 countries on five continents. Catholic Relief Services helps all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, and they’ve partnered with Caritas to help provide food, water, and shelter to Ukrainian refugees, in addition to transportation to safe areas and mental health counseling to survivors. Members of the Catholic Relief Services are also headed to countries like Moldova and Romania to help the thousands of Ukrainians that have fled there. You can donate here.
13. Médicins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders
MSF runs a variety of programs in Ukraine, working with local organizations to help people travel to health care facilities, access prescribed medications, and raise awareness about common health challenges. The organization is still formulating its emergency action plan for Ukraine, you can donate here now.
14. Kyiv Independent
Journalists at this English-language newspaper are doing extraordinary work covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at great risk to their families, their homes, and their own personal safety. Now, the paper is soliciting donations via GoFundMe. You can donate through Go Fund Me here.