Ukraine - How you can help

What is happening in Ukraine is truly horrifying and for most of us safe in our homes and jobs completely unimaginable.

Over a month on from the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine we are witnessing the devastating, horrific toll of this illegal and immoral war. With millions of people having been forced to leave their homes and their country, and millions more internally displaced within Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis is profound with thousands already killed with that appalling number growing every day. 

There are so many charitable foundations collecting funds and supplies for Ukraine and others in need all over the world - names we are all aware of The International Red Cross Committee; UNICEF, Doctors without Borders, The Disasters Emergency Committee and People in Need but there are other, smaller charities and organisations both here and abroad supporting Ukraine who need your help.  

Below, we've gathered together a list of just some of the charities and organisations that are appealing for donations to bring vital funds, supplies and shelter to those in need as quickly as possible. As well as other meaningful ways you can make a difference to help Ukrainian people through donations and/ or actions:

• Notion has put together “an easy [three-step], bare-minimum guide for businesses around the world on how you can support Ukraine and help stop the war”
• Designers United for Ukraine - Set up by a creative collective to help designers impacted by the war in Ukraine reach safety and find new work, this site has become so much more than just that with a growing list of useful resources and ways to help all Ukrainians 
• The Return Alive Foundation fights disinformation and cyber-attacks and focuses on helping Ukrainian soldiers, among other initiatives
• Designers United For Ukraine is collecting names of designers and businesses interested in helping and/or hiring displaced Ukrainian designers to reach safety and continue to work...
• Voices of Children provides emergency psychological assistance to Ukrainian children impacted by the war.
• This amazing website #I helpUkrainie has been set up entirely by volunteers to connect Polish institutions and citizens who want to help with Ukrainian families in Poland fleeing who are in need of help

Apply to be a sponsor

In March the government launched its Homes For Refugees scheme, with an amazing 88,000 people signing up within the first 24 hours.

Anyone with a spare home or room available can offer it to a Ukrainian national or family - you can register your interest online.

Donate

• A simple way to help the Ukrainian army – this help is really needed right now
• All-Together (Reg number: KRS: 0000262828) - support an authentic on-the-ground support group in Poland - the ladies of this tiny village just 60 miles west of Ukraine make sandwiches & hot soups, buy fruit for the kids as well as basic hygiene items, then deliver them to the Ukrainian refugees passing though Rzeszów and Przemyśl train stations. They now have a PayPal account to make international transfers easier:
  PayPal.me/wszyscyrazemlaka

• Set up by The Embassy of Ukraine to the UK With Ukraine is raising money to provide humanitarian support to Ukraine and its people.
• Donate your birthday (I particularly love this initiative) - British-Ukrainian Aid is asking you to choose donations instead of birthday gifts on FB to help raise funds for those who are suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
• Supported by Comic Relief, Choose Love has a particular focus on funding support for marginalised groups e.g. LGBTQ+, BIPOC, unaccompanied children and those at risk of being trafficked.
• A special fundraising account was created by the National Bank of Ukraine specifically to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces – https://bit.ly/3BSQoyv
• The International Rescue Committee is helping families fleeing the war by sending vital supplies and money to help women and children. Help them support families affected by the Ukraine crisis.
• Polish Center for International Aid has been supporting Ukraine and its people for many years renovating schools, providing equipment and organising camps for children among other types of relief
• Catholic Relief Services - raising money to help families in Ukraine and the surrounding countries receive food, clothing, transport to safe shelter, cash assistance, counseling and care for children.
• An animal shelter near Kyiv with a devoted team that won’t abandon the animals they care for and needs financial support, supplies
• The Ukrainian Red Cross is helping with on-site first aid and medical services.
• The Kyiv Independent is covering the conflict from within the conflict zone and is fundraising to continue coverage.
• Sunflower of Peace prepares first aid tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the ground.
• The United Nations World Food Programme is on the ground delivering food to people who are fleeing the war.
• The World Central Kitchen Relief Team provides meals in Poland for incoming refugees.
• Vostok-SOS hotlines are helping people evacuate, and are providing humanitarian aid and psycho-social support.
• Doctors Without Borders is equipping surgeons in Ukraine with trauma care training and is providing emergency response activities in Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.
• United Help Ukraine, receiving and distributing donations, food and medical supplies to Ukrainian IDPs (internally displaced people)
• Razom for Ukraine is raising money to providing on-site medical care and trauma kits to medical professionals on the ground in the conflict zone.

Donating safely

There are lots of organisations across the UK and internationally that have launched appeals, and you may wish to donate through these organisations instead. There are some simple steps you can take to ensure your money is safe and being used effectively:

• Most charities with an income of £5,000 or more must be registered - check their registration status here
• Before sharing any credit card information online, make sure the site uses encryption technology to protect you. Check the address bar on the page requiring sensitive information to be posted. The URL should begin with "https." The "s" stands for "secure" and indicates that sensitive information will be encrypted and transmitted securely.
• Protect your privacy. Look for a privacy policy and read it carefully before disclosing personal information, especially your credit card number.

Other ways to help

1. Check social media and local news sources for local drop-offs and items needed (Although this has been problematic lately)
2. Write to your local MP, and share widely so others can do the same
3. Volunteer locally
4. Set up a company or local charity event (fun run, sponsored events to raise money)
5. If you are part of a business, here are some tips to pledge your support https://supportukraine.notion.site/

I am sure many of you are looking for ways to do your bit right now - whether that's donating your time or your money, every bit of help, helps. So if these ideas and links get you closer to providing support where it's needed most, then we're grateful to have contributed.