Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Russian troops have entered Kyiv, crowds of Ukrainian residents have fled their homes, and Ukrainian officials have urged citizens staying in Kyiv to prepare Molotov cocktails to defend their capital. In response, countries around the world have started imposing economic sanctions on Russia.
As the crisis unfolds, and people around the world watch the war escalate in real-time, many are left wondering how they can help. Making a donation might seem like a drop in the bucket during these times, but it’s a good place to start (and a much better than doomscrolling Twitter). On Thursday, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, 317 people raised $400,000 in crypto donations to help support Ukrainian forces.
Below are some organizations working to help Ukrainians during this crisis.
Where to donate
GoFundMe recently launched a centralized hub to help people looking to donate to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. This hub features Ukrainian nonprofits offering emergency relief as well as individualized fundraisers for Ukrainian families seeking support. GoFundMe’s global Trust and Safety team has researched and verified all organizations highlighted on the donation hub. It’s also organized its own Ukraine Humanitarian Fund that will give donations to a collection of verified nonprofit organizations.
This international nonprofit organization works to address the needs of children growing up in times of crisis. Donations to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund will go toward providing children and their families with hygiene kits, food and water, cash support, and psychosocial aid. According to Save the Children’s website, 85% of every dollar donated to Save the Children goes directly to providing assistance to vulnerable children.
Voices of Children
Voices of Children is a charitable foundation that focuses on addressing the psychological effect of armed conflict on children. Founded in 2015 in response to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Voices of Children provides art therapy, mobile psychologists, and individualized support to traumatized children. Individuals can donate through bank transfer, credit/debit card, or Apple Pay via its website.
The International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee has a long history of providing resources to refugees fleeing countries facing humanitarian crisis. Its leaders have responded to the situation in Ukraine by meeting with organizations in Poland and Ukraine to gauge the potential number of refugees and their needs so it can quickly mobilize and provide whatever assistance is needed. You can make a donation via its website. While the organization will accept donations of any size, it states on the site that a monthly donation of $108 will provide eight families with temporary shelter.
Sunflower of Peace
Started five years ago as a fundraiser to provide backpacks with first aid and medical supplies to front-line doctors, Sunflower of Peace is currently providing backpacks to Ukrainian soldiers, citizens, and volunteers. According to its fundraising information, “Each backpack is designed for groups of 5 to 10 people and includes a variety of first aid supplies: bandages, anti hemorrhagic medicine like Quikclot and Celox, medical instruments, and a means for survival in extreme conditions.” Donate through the fundraising page on Facebook.
CARE
International humanitarian organization CARE has set up an emergency Ukrainian Crisis Fund with the goal of providing immediate support for 4 million people. Donations will go toward providing Ukrainians with water, food, supplies, hygiene kits, immediate support and aid, and cash. CARE notes that its prioritizing supporting women, girls, families, and elderly. CARE makes it easy to donate via its website using PayPal or a credit card.
International Medical Corps
This nonprofit is focused on providing health-care services, psychosocial support, and care to citizens of countries dealing with disaster, disease, and conflict. It’s currently accepting monetary gifts that will go toward providing Ukrainians with better access to medical and mental health resources. You can make a donation via the website using a credit/debit card, bank transfer, or PayPal.
Project Hope
Project Hope is an international organization that coordinates with health-care workers to provide on-the-ground medical support to countries in crisis. “With some 3 million people in Ukraine already in need of urgent humanitarian assistance even before the Russian military incursion, immediate medical support is needed to prevent the country from spiraling even deeper into a humanitarian crisis that could impact millions of people,” Project Hope writes on its website. It’s currently sending medical supplies to Ukrainians. You can make donations via its website using a credit/debit card, bank transfer, or PayPal.
Kyiv Independent
This English-language media outlet was launched three months ago and created on the principles of free-press and editorial independence. Donations can be made via its GoFundMe and Patreon accounts, which will be used to keep the news source running.
Razom for Ukraine
Razom for Ukraine is a Ukrainian-American nonprofit dedicated to unlocking Ukraine’s democratic potential by creating collaborative spaces that foster international civic engagement. While it has its own fundraiser to support its emergency response to the war, it also provides a whole host of resources for people looking to help, including a round-up of rallies and events for people interested in showing their support for the #StandWithUkraine movement.
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