How To Help Ukraine
Our research suggests that many leaders of civic, charitable, religious and business organisations are looking to donate or send other help to people disenfranchised by the Ukrainian conflict. Below is a short list of reputable organisations and agencies we consider worthy of support. It is obviously an incomplete list. We welcome suggestions via our social media platforms.
NGOs and International Non-Profits
International Committee for the Red Cross (Assisting Ukraine Red Cross)
Delivering urgent water supplies to hospitals and communities, repairing vital infrastructure, supporting health facilities with medicines and equipment, and supporting families with food and hygiene items. Speaking with partners on either side of the conflict to encourage a peaceful resolution.
British Red Cross
Donations can help someone affected by the conflict get food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter. (See also above.)
Disasters Emergency Committee (UK)
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella group of UK charities which coordinates and launches collective appeals to raise funds to provide emergency aid and rapid relief to people caught up in disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.
The launch of the DEC's Ukraine crisis campaign was announced on March 2, by the British Prime Minister in the House of Commons. It is well worth supporting
Save the Children
The Save the Children Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund uses donations to help families meet their basic needs such as food, medicine and shelter.
According to Save the Children, there are 7.5 million children who are in danger of physical harm, emotional distress and displacement due to the invasion of Ukraine. Even before the conflict escalated in the first week, there were 400,000 children who needed humanitarian aid.
UNICEF
Working across eastern Ukraine to scale up life-saving programmes for children. This includes trucking safe water to conflict-affected areas; repositioning health, hygiene and emergency education supplies as close as possible to communities near the line of combat and working with municipalities to ensure there is immediate help for children and families in need.
World Vision International
World Vision International will help provide support of various kinds to many of the 7.5 million children living in Ukraine who are at risk from the conflict. It is also planning relief for up to four million people who could flee the country if the situation continues to escalate. World Vision is also working to provide aid for those affected by rising fuel, shipping and food costs resulting from the conflict.
UN Humanitarian Fund
Contributions are collected into a single unearmarked fund and managed locally under UN leadership. As crises evolve, funds are directly and immediately available to a wide range of partner organizations on the front lines. Funding reaches the people where it is most needed.
GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund
GlobalGiving connects non-profits, donors, and companies in nearly every country in the world. It helps fellow non-profits access the funding, tools, training and support they need to serve their communities.
Catholic Relief Services
Provides shelter, hot meals and transport to safe areas
Tearfund
Tearfund is working through is collecting donations through its various national branches to support providing immediate necessities like shelter, health care, water and sanitation to those impacted by war. The goal is to empower people to share, learn, heal, be reconciled and work together to build peace.
International Rescue Committee
IRC helps support displaced families with critical aid.
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.
Delivering essential support for displaced people across the country and the region. Immediate needs include shelter and relief items for those fleeing their homes, as well as specialized protection, such as psychological support.
Local Government Support
Some city councils - in the UK, for example - are encouraging citizens to support people affected by the conflict. For example, the city of Westminster in London provides a list of various ways of helping, including links to donor organizations. Please consult your local government website. If your local government is not engaged directly, please consider writing to your local councillor to urge support - at the very least by providing such a list.
Church Agencies/Campaigns
Church and other faith groups in the UK and elsewhere have set up Ukraine-assistance programmes, mainly assisting other groups on the ground in or neighbouring Ukraine. Please consult local church/denominational/organizational websites for more.
Other Ways to Contribute
Write to your MP
Governments in various parts of the world, including the UK are already contributing significantly to aid programs. In some cases, however, much more can be done. You can help by writing a letter to your local Member of Parliament or another political representative. For example, depending on measures already in place where you are, you might strongly request that your government increase sanctions on Russia or play a larger role in responding to the humanitarian and refugee crises emerging from the conflict - e.g. through resettlement and evacuation programmes.
Support Ukraine-based or Ukraine-focused journalism.
Journalists, particularly those closest to the conflict, provide our primary pipeline for information about it. To help them continue this crucial work, follow the news from local sources such as The Kyiv Independent and The New Voice of Ukraine.
Join a (non-violent) peace protest
For some, this may not seem a particularly direct way of helping Ukrainian people. It's not as direct as donating money but it can still have a real impact. For example, media and social media coverage of protests large and small can influence the thinking and emotions of political leaders in other parts of the world. It may or may not have an effect on those who initiate and maintain the conflict, but it can certainly influence those who are in a position to offer vital aid.