Here’s How You Can Help the People of Ukraine Right Now

BY LEAH CAMPANO FEB 25, 2022

In the early hours of Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” and launched a large-scale invasion on Ukraine, a nation of over 44 million citizens that neighbors Russia’s borders. Putin declared war in an effort to expand his power and deter Ukraine from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is a military alliance made up of 30 nations, including the United States.

Missile attacks and explosions rang out across central and eastern Ukraine, as Russian military forces assailed the nation from three sides. Friday, February 25, marks the second day of attacks but tensions have been building since December 2021, when Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops to Ukraine’s borders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a state of emergency hours before the invasion began, and announced mandatory military service for all men of fighting age (18-60).

Now, the two nations are officially at war and Russia continues its advance. Air-raid sirens sound across the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which U.S. officials fear will fall to Russia within days. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced on Friday, February 25, that President Biden will impose sanctions — financial penalties set against a nation for international law violations — against Putin. Previous sanctions enacted by the United States and European Union nations targeted Russian banks, elites, and technology.

Ukrainian officials report that during Thursday’s attack, at least 137 of its civilians and soldiers died. Thousands of civilians have fled the country, seeking refuge in neighboring Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Hundreds more have taken shelter in the cities’ subway stations. As the invasion continues, here are some ways you can help the people of Ukraine.

Where can I donate?

There are a number of organizations mobilizing and raising funds for the displaced Ukrainian citizens.

GoFundMe has created a centralized hub of fundraisers helping the people of Ukraine. Each fund has been reviewed and verified by GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety team, and is being continuously updated as more credible nonprofit organizations emerge. You can access the hub here.

Below, find a list of individual organizations to donate funds.

• Global Empowerment Mission: The Global Empowerment Mission – BStrong is sending 100,000 hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping bags, and more to distribute to refugees at the Poland-Ukraine border. Donate here.
• UNICEF: “Heavy weapons fire along the line of contact has already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities in recent days,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell said in a statement on February 24. “Unless the fighting subsides, tens of thousands of families could be displaced, dramatically escalating humanitarian needs.” UNICEF is delivering life-saving supplies to children and families in the Donbas region of Ukraine. You can donate on their website here.
• Save the Children: Save the Children is providing food, water, hygiene kits, and cash assistance to the 7.5 million children and their families at risk in Ukraine right now. Donate to their crisis relief fund here.
• United Help Ukraine: United Help Ukraine raises funds for medical supplies for injured soldiers, and collects clothes for families who have lost family in battle in Ukraine. You can make donations through their PayPal account or on Facebook. In January 2022, the organization organized a protest against the Ukraine-Russia war outside the White House in Washington, D.C.
• Sunflower of Peace: Sunflower of Peace prepares first aid medical tactical backpacks for doctors, paramedics, and other health care professionals on the front lines of a crisis. As of February 19, the organization was already collecting supplies for Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, volunteers, and children. Donate on Facebook.
• Doctors Without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontieres: Doctors Without Borders / MSF conduct a number of medical services in Ukraine. In response to the war crisis, their teams in Ukraine and neighboring nations are mobilizing and prepping to provide emergency care, mass casualty kits, and humanitarian assistance to displaced individuals. Donate here.
• Voices of Children: Voices of Children provides emotional and psychological support to the children affected by war in Ukraine. You can donate directly on their website.
• Razom for Ukraine: Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, was established in 2014. Since then, the nonprofit organization has maintained its pursuit of democratizing Ukraine and ensuring civil rights for all of its citizens. In response to the current crisis, Razom has raised over $1 million for the people of Ukraine and collected non-perishable food, clothes, blankets, bedding, first aid kits, and other emergency resources for relief organizations to distribute. Donate to Razom here. Their website also includes ways to contact your local elected officials, protests and rallies to attend, petitions to sign, and other verified organizations to donate funds. Access that list here.
• UN Refugee Agency: The UN Refugee Agency provides relief, protection, cash assistance, and healthcare to displaced citizens. Donate here.

How can I support Ukrainian journalism?

The Kyiv Independent is an English-language newspaper in Ukraine that has been covering the aggression and war in their country. You can support their reporting through their GoFundMe page or on Patreon.

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