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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) (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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) (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) (Si apre in una nuova finestra), also provides both live coverage and more-indepth analysis of the issues at stake for Ukraine, for Europe and for the world.
#UkraineFacts (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra).
On Twitter, you can follow #StandwithUkraine list (Si apre in una nuova finestra)providing trusted, even if partisan, news on Ukraine's fight for freedom. Follow also this compiled list of Twitter accounts (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra)’ 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) (Si apre in una nuova finestra), fundraising accounts for humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians through the Ministry of Social Policy.
People's Project / Центр волонтерів (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) delivers aid packages to Ukraine with everything from baby food and hygiene products, to clothes and household supplies.
Right to Protection (Si apre in una nuova finestra) provides free legal aid and direct assistance to internally displaced persons. Find out useful information on their Facebook page (Si apre in una nuova finestra).
Vostok SOS (Si apre in una nuova finestra) has been helping war victims since 2014 in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but is now helping people all over Ukraine.
Come Back Alive (Si apre in una nuova finestra) provides protective equipment for soldiers in the Ukrainian army but also aid for war orphans.
Army SOS / Армія SOS (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra). The mobile app Leads Ukraine (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra). 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) and Jobs for Refugees (Si apre in una nuova finestra).
WeHelpUkraine.org (Si apre in una nuova finestra) connects people that need help in Ukraine, with people (and organizations) that can provide this help, regardless of where they are.
#SpeakforUkraine (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra). 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra)).
Fresh food for Ukrainian refugees by CrowdFarming (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra), which is helping to support LGBTQ+ groups and organizations on the ground, setting up shelters and providing safety for citizens.
Caritas (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) is working with partners to meet the urgent needs of affected children and their families.
Doctors Without Borders (Si apre in una nuova finestra) is expanding its teams of doctors to provide medical aid to the population, especially along the front lines.
People in Need (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) is repairing schools damaged by the bombings and providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict.
Ukraine Red Cross (Si apre in una nuova finestra) provides humanitarian help, from aiding refugees to training doctors.
Amnesty International (Si apre in una nuova finestra) also needs help, in particular to finance an Emergency Fund to evacuate human rights defenders and journalists in great danger.
UN Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund (Si apre in una nuova finestra), 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) is on the front lines and prepared to help citizens with emergency health care services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support.
CARE (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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) (Si apre in una nuova finestra) is deploying emergency operations in Ukraine and surrounding countries to provide food assistance to those fleeing the conflict.
International Rescue Committee (IRC) (Si apre in una nuova finestra) 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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra)has stepped up its operations in Ukraine and is working with governments in neighboring countries.
World Health Organization Foundation (Si apre in una nuova finestra)’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 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) to keep this article up to date.
💬 You can also discuss and engage with our Community of ReSolvers:
Instagram (Si apre in una nuova finestra)/ Facebook (Si apre in una nuova finestra) / Twitter (Si apre in una nuova finestra)/ Linkedin (Si apre in una nuova finestra) / Email (Si apre in una nuova finestra)