Special Issue - Stand With Ukraine
For the Ukrainian population, life has become a nightmare overnight and their home a war zone. UNHCR estimates that at least four million people may flee Ukraine in the coming weeks. Once again, we see people rising up to help their neighbours and propose solutions even to the most terrible situations one can face. 💙💛
With The ReSolve, our goal is to show that we can go further together and that each of us is part of the solidarity movement. That’s why we decided to make this special issue and share information on solidarity initiatives to help our fellow citizens of Ukraine. Today, we need to keep protesting, donating and supporting those still defending their country and make sure that refugees are able to live decently. In the future, we hope to see this kind of solidarity in action for all people in need.
The online article (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) will be updated weekly with new information and initiatives received from you and identified on our end. We will get back to our initial plan to cover solutions promoting gender equality in April.
Together, let’s #StandWithUkraine and #StandWithAllRefugees 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾
Stay well informed
The first step to help those in need and to show solidarity is to stay well informed about what is happening on the ground and avoid potential fake news and propaganda around the conflict and its consequences. We’ve rounded up a few trustworthy sources you can refer to below.
The Kyiv Independent (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) (EN) has been a leading voice on the front lines, covering a timeline of ongoing events and highlighting those who have been most affected by the conflict.
The New Voice of Ukraine (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) (EN, UKR, RU) in addition to covering breaking news, they publish op-eds by Ukranian scholars and experts that help to give a broader view of the situation.
The Guardian (EN) (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), also provides both live coverage and more-indepth analysis of the issues at stake for Ukraine, for Europe and for the world.
#UkraineFacts (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is a great resource if you want to fact-check news and information you're seeing about Ukraine. You can also use the fact-checking website of news agency AFP (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).
On Twitter, you can follow #StandwithUkraine list (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)providing trusted, even if partisan, news on Ukraine's fight for freedom. Follow also this compiled list of Twitter accounts (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) of journalists reporting about the invasion, verified by CNN.
If you need to know or to provide accurate information, see the ‘Comprehensive information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)’ by the European Commission, including free travel options, rights to crossing the border, rights in the EU and compiled information from each EU national authority.
Direct support to Ukraine
As we are still in the heat of the conflict, we believe it’s important to provide the most direct help, by supporting local actors who are well organized and who can have a quick impact. Donations for defense equipment and humanitarian assistance to people in Ukraine are urgently needed at the moment.
National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), fundraising accounts for humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians through the Ministry of Social Policy.
People's Project / Центр волонтерів (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), volunteers coordinating assistance to the people of Ukraine. You can select social, health care or army projects to support as a fundraising.
Ukrainian Women’s Fund (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), funds to cover the urgent needs for water, food, medicine, hygiene, or communication, with a focus on the most vulnerable groups of women and girls.
Nova Ukraine (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) delivers aid packages to Ukraine with everything from baby food and hygiene products, to clothes and household supplies.
Right to Protection (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) provides free legal aid and direct assistance to internally displaced persons. Find out useful information on their Facebook page (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).
Vostok SOS (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) has been helping war victims since 2014 in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but is now helping people all over Ukraine.
Come Back Alive (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) provides protective equipment for soldiers in the Ukrainian army but also aid for war orphans.
Army SOS / Армія SOS (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), public initiative helping the army of Ukraine, you can help to provide medicine and direct targeted assistance to soldiers on the front line.
Make your voice heard in the streets and on social media
The world much show a united front with Ukrainians and anti-war demonstrators across Europe have taken to the streets. Critical mass counts, so you can start by joining the protests for peace that are organized near you. You can find locations on the map and how to help on the #StandWithUkraine website (Öffnet in neuem Fenster). The mobile app Leads Ukraine (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) can also help you find Ukrainian organizations and events near you.
Make sure to also spread the word on social media about the initiatives and organizations you decided to support and the ones you believe will make an impact. Even if not sufficient, online activism can also make a difference.
Initiatives across Europe
If you are looking for or know somewhere to host refugees from Ukraine, please register the information on MAPAHELP (Öffnet in neuem Fenster). It gathers information about organizations and people outside Ukraine who are ready to help Ukrainians. The map contains geodata of places where Ukrainians can get food, transfer, housing, medical and psychological help.
We also selected other initiatives that work in several countries across Europe:
Jobs for Ukraine (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) compiles academic, scientific, arts, professional and freelance opportunities that are currently available for people fleeing war in many countries. See also the Jobs for Humanity (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) and Jobs for Refugees (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).
WeHelpUkraine.org (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) connects people that need help in Ukraine, with people (and organizations) that can provide this help, regardless of where they are.
#SpeakforUkraine (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), a platform created by SPEAK to help all refugees from Ukraine by providing them with language and emotional support and connecting refugees, organizations, individuals and volunteers.
Airbnb.org (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is allowing short term housing for up to 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine and you can help by offering temporary stays for free or at a discount, but also by renting accommodations of Ukrainian hosts without going.
Keep Ukraine’s Media Going fundraising campaign (Öffnet in neuem Fenster). Help the media which is under intense pressure in Ukraine and beyond to cover this conflict and get their teams to safety (find information about how they plan to spend these funds on The Fix (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)).
Fresh food for Ukrainian refugees by CrowdFarming (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), through the #crowdgiving initiative you can help by buying any of the products on this page to be shipped to Ukraine’s bordering countries (Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia).
@shelter_for_ukrainians_bot (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), Telegram channel and bot helping to connect refugees with those who can provide shelter.
The European Union policymakers are also stepping up their game and organizing an unprecedented response. In addition to the sanctions, they have unanimously approved the first-ever activation of the Temporary Protection Directive (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) that will provide immediate protection and rights, reduce pressures on national asylum systems, and enhance responsibility sharing.
However, while these measures are welcome, many still wonder how long they will last and why they have not been applied to other groups of people fleeing war in other parts of the world.
In each country
To make sure the help is coordinated and to avoid losing precious time and effort, if you would like to volunteer, donate or directly help refugees, make sure to first contact your Municipality or local authorities so that they are aware of ongoing efforts. Collection campaigns from individuals and civil society at the local level can then be reported to the national government where transport and distribution can be coordinated. See also the needs and advice of the Ukrainian Embassy (and consulates) in your country.
Support via international aid organizations
These institutions are all well-organized to provide support now and in the long-term, both to those staying in the country via their Ukrainian branch and to refugees outside Ukraine. You can find the local branch in your country to make a donation or volunteer with them.
One we would like to highlight, also linked to our next issue, is OutRight Action International (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), which is helping to support LGBTQ+ groups and organizations on the ground, setting up shelters and providing safety for citizens.
Caritas (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is setting up aid centers for internally displaced persons at various bases in Ukraine. Supplying water, hygiene articles, food and heating material as well as psychosocial support and medical care.
Since children are particularly vulnerable in wartime, the organization SOS Children's Villages (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is helping with the evacuation, the construction of emergency shelters, the supply of food and hygiene articles as well as the provision of accommodation for families.
Save the Children (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is working with partners to meet the urgent needs of affected children and their families.
Doctors Without Borders (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is expanding its teams of doctors to provide medical aid to the population, especially along the front lines.
People in Need (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), is providing humanitarian aid to over 200,000 people on the ground. For those most in need, they provide food packages, emergency shelter, safe access to drinking water, hygiene items, and coal for heating.
World Vision (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), the international children's aid organization, is also expanding its emergency aid activities, specifically on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, and child protection centers are being set up in Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.
UNICEF (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is repairing schools damaged by the bombings and providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict.
Ukraine Red Cross (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) provides humanitarian help, from aiding refugees to training doctors.
Amnesty International (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) also needs help, in particular to finance an Emergency Fund to evacuate human rights defenders and journalists in great danger.
UN Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), depending on the evolution of the crisis, the funds are made directly and immediately available to partner organizations on the front line. This ensures funds reach the people who need it most, when they need it.
International Medical Corps (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is on the front lines and prepared to help citizens with emergency health care services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support.
CARE (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is responding to the crisis by providing Ukrainians in need of food, hygiene kits, psychosocial support services, access to water, and access to cash.
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is deploying emergency operations in Ukraine and surrounding countries to provide food assistance to those fleeing the conflict.
International Rescue Committee (IRC) (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) currently has a team dispatched to Poland that’s helping to provide food, medical care, and emergency support services to families who fled Ukraine amid the violence.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)has stepped up its operations in Ukraine and is working with governments in neighboring countries.
World Health Organization Foundation (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)’s Health Emergency Appeal to deliver urgent physical and mental health care to the 18 million people in Ukraine needing urgent humanitarian assistance, and more than 4 million refugees who’ll need protection and assistance in the coming months.
🤝We hope you found this useful and can share it around if it might contribute to help others.
🧑🤝🧑 To continue this show of solidarity, send us any initiative or way to help (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) to keep this article up to date.
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