Help in the Ukraine
How to Help in Ukraine – Where to Donate 3-13-22
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine has unfolded, we have seen heartbreaking images of civilian refugees fleeing their homes to avoid bombings and destruction, hospitals bombed, and other horrifying scenes. Many of us, feeling helpless, seek to provide aid during this humanitarian crisis by making donations. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some organizations which are helping. Tripadvisor Foundation has a matching program – see World Central Kitchen below. Also, you may wish to check – some employers are matching their employees’ donations. Please go to the organizations’ own websites or media pages for more information about their efforts. Thank you for your generosity!
The Suffolk Y JCC is supporting Jewish communities in Ukraine by urging its members to donate to UJA-Federation. These funds will be used by the Jewish community’s primary overseas partners – the JDC, The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and other grassroots partners to provide for the safety and well-being of the approximately 200,000 Jews living in Ukraine today. Please click here for UJA Federation of New York’s crisis donation page.
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JDC. In more than 1,000 locations across Ukraine, JDC provides a lifeline for an estimated 40,000 Jewish elderly and 2,500 poor Jewish children and their families through its network of care services, Jewish community programs, and Jewish leaders — and today, they need our help. Click here.
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World Central Kitchen (WCK) is providing fresh meals to Ukrainian families in need who are staying in their cities as well as refugees fleeing to the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia. WCK is working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks in the region to provide nourishing meals at border crossings, shelters, and other refugee communities. Click here to donate.
The Tripadvisor Foundation is supporting WCK in these efforts and will match your donations to their Ukraine response up to $250,000. (The Tripadvisor Foundation is the corporate philanthropic arm of Tripadvisor Media Group).
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HIAS (founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in 1881 to assist Jews fleeing pogroms) is responding with emergency humanitarian assistance to those who are displaced. A HIAS response team was in Poland and now in Ukraine assessing ways it can assist Ukrainians — both Jews and others — as they cross into Poland and other neighboring countries. HIAS’ presence today in Ukraine is through a partnership Right to Protection (R2P), an independent Ukraininian NGO. R2P provides legal assistance as well as monitors advocates for improvements in the legal and regulatory framework affecting internally displaced people; conflict-affected persons residing in or near non-government controlled territories; refugees, asylum seekers; and stateless persons. Click here to donate.
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NPR (National Public Radio) has provided the following list of additional organizations which are assisting in the relief efforts. The full article, with more information about each organization, is available at:
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-help
Want to support the people in Ukraine? Here’s how you can help
UNICEF. UNICEF supports health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.
“Heavy weapons fire along the line of contact has already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities in recent days,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell in a statement.
Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders. MSF runs a range of activities in Ukraine working with local volunteers, organizations, health care professionals and authorities to help people travel to health care facilities and access prescribed medications.
Voices of Children. The Ukrainian organization’s Charitable Foundation helps provide psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by the armed conflict, according to its website. VOC’s efforts of support for kids include art therapy, video storytelling, providing mobile psychologists and even individual help for families.
Sunflower of Peace. The nonprofit organization is raising money to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Each backpack is designed for groups of 5 to ten people and includes an array of first aid supplies — such as bandages, anti-hemorrhagic medicine and medical instruments.
International Committee of the Red Cross. This Switzerland-based organization is aiming to help people affected by the conflict and support the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
Save the Children, based in London, helps to deliver lifesaving aid to vulnerable children in Ukraine and around the world. According to its website, the organization says it is on the ground in the U.S. and other parts of the world “delivering essential humanitarian aid.”
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
The international organization aims to provide emergency assistance to families in Ukraine — providing aid such as cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement in the U.S. UNHCR works with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine.
CARE. CARE is raising money for its Ukraine Crisis Fund, which will provide immediate aid including food, water, hygiene kits, support services and direct cash assistance. Care says it will prioritize women and girls, families and the elderly.
International Medical Corps. The global nonprofit has been delivering primary health care and mental health services in eastern Ukraine since 2014, and is raising funds to expand those services for people affected by the latest conflict.