How to Help the People of Ukraine

Fundraisers and charities have been established to raise money specifically for the people of Ukraine, while other longstanding organisations, often the first to offer assistance in these situations, are also accepting donations.

United Help Ukraine The aim of this local charity is to offer humanitarian aid for those directly impacted by the actions of Russia in the country. You can find out more information on their Facebook page and there is also a collection of resources if you want more details about what is happening on the ground.

International Rescue Committee Many families across Ukraine have been forced to flee their homes and separated from their loved ones. Thousands of people have already crossed into Poland and thousands more are at the border. An emergency donation will help keep these people, who have been displaced, fed and warm as they face an uncertain time ahead.

#helpukraine There’s been a huge outpouring of support for Ukraine on social media and online. This GoFundMe campaign – and there are many to choose from – has been set up using the most popular hashtag as a quick way to reference what you are contributing towards. Do take the time to fully research these pages and make sure you opt for one that is verifiable in some way. This campaign has a clear, concise intro from Anna Dezyk, who highlights exactly how the money will be spent.

International Committee of the Red Cross This well-established organisation distances itself from the politics of global conflicts and instead offers help to the people affected by war around the world. There is a page dedicated to Ukraine, which provides a lot of information for those looking to find out more and you can donate here to assist others on the frontline.

Médecins Sans Frontiers Another global organisation that has been working around the world, Médecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) has been active in Ukraine for a number of years. The country has been severely hit by the outbreak of Covid-19 and is now facing up to the additional chaos of invasion by a foreign power. Up-to-the-minute updates from a reliable source will help inform you on how this organisation is helping.

Voices of Children Sadly children are often the first victims of any conflict. The trauma of fleeing their homes – and their innocence in these situations – means that people understandably want to help the youngest Ukrainians first. Voices of Children is a well-established charitable foundation that is now more relevant than ever. A donation here will have as much of a long-term impact as it will an immediate effect.

Razom Funds to Razom will be used to purchase supplies such as tourniquets, bandages, combat gauzes, sterile pads and satellite phones. Although the internet was switched off in Ukraine as part of the initial assault, Elon Musk has activated his Starlink satellites, which means Ukrainian people can still get online regardless despite Russian efforts to stop them. Satellite phones will help if anything happens to the new connection set-up, while other supplies will be sent to soldiers and reservists.

Ukrainian Institute London For more practical tips, the Ukrainian Institute in London has set up a page covering a number of ways you can help, many of which are available to international visitors to the site. For UK residents, there is also a guide on how you can pressure your local MP to persuade the UK government into taking more direct action and hopefully easing the route into the country for those fleeing the conflict.