UKRAINE – HOW WE CAN HELP

By Sherry Quisenberry

As the Ukraine-Russian War enters its third week, some cities have been surrounded by the Russian army while others have collapsed into rubble. With the seizure of nuclear power plants, the bombings of maternity and children’s hospitals, residential buildings and homes, 3 million Ukrainians have fled their country into neighboring European states. Another 2 million Ukrainians remain within their country but are displaced, forced into dark basements and underground shelters. The civilian infrastructure is decimated and unusable. People are without heat and electricity, adequate water supplies, and much-needed medicine and food. As we watch the war in real time, we are seeing the mass destruction of a country and its people unlike anything the world has seen since World War II.

Diplomatic talks continue but without a breakthrough the human toll will continue to rise, not only for Ukraine but for Russia, too. No one knows the real number of Russian lives lost as news is being severely restricted by their government, but we all see the bodies displayed on our televisions. A Red Cross official said the war has become “nothing short of a nightmare.” The IRC (International Rescue Committee) says the invasion of Ukraine will have devastating consequences for the civilian population, and Europe will experience the worst human suffering ever seen in this century.  

How We Can Help

I cannot imagine this type of suffering. Each morning I enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a long shower with a fluffy, clean, white towel and then go about the rest of my day with relative ease. Just three weeks ago, Ukrainians were doing the same. Now, approximately 5 million of them are without the basic necessities and facing a future of uncertainties.

So what can we do to support Ukraine? We can start by giving. We’ve rounded up several reputable organizations collecting donations of money and other needed items.

Doctors Without Borders – Assessing humanitarian needs, delivering urgent medical supplies, providing medical training to hospitals, getting medications to those in need, assisting refugees with travel to medical facilities. Donate Here

Ukrainian Red Cross Society – Collecting donations to send vital supplies to displaced Ukrainians, blood collection, mobilization of volunteers and resources, and emergency aid. – Donate Here

United Help Ukraine – Collecting and distributing donations, food, and medical supplies to internally displaced Ukrainians and families – Donate Here

Nova Ukraine – Distributing clothes and food, legal assistance, and reconnecting families. Delivering aid to the most vulnerable populations in Ukraine – Donate Here

Save the Children – 50% of Ukrainians forced to flee are children. Providing food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and cash assistance to help protect vulnerable children. Donate Here

International Rescue Committee – On the ground working with partners to provide critical information services, legal counseling and psychological support, as well as essential items such as medical supplies, sleeping bags and blankets. – Donate Here

Airbnb – Offering temporary stays for free or at a discount or donating to fund stays. How It Works Here

Avoid Scams and Give with Confidence

Be smart when it comes to donating. The Better Business Bureau has tips on how to avoid being scammed.

A simple way to check the legitimacy of an organization is through Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator. Type in the name of the charity, and Charity Navigator will give you the charity’s star rating with four stars being the highest.

Finally

The poet, Amanda Gorman, says it best:

There is no such thing as a gentle war.

There is no peace

That can’t be flung aside.

Our only enemy is that which would

Make us enemies to each other.