Helping Those Impacted by the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine
By Holly Westerfield
Our hearts go out to those devastated by the events currently happening in Ukraine. As the world watches this humanitarian crisis unfold, it’s natural to want to help in some way. But it can be difficult to know where to start. We feel the same way here at PASS, so we have compiled a list of ways you can help.
Right now, the most helpful thing you can do is donate money. While donating supplies is undoubtedly helpful, it takes time for this aid to travel from the US to Ukraine and into the hands of the people who need them. By donating money, you put immediate funding directly into the hands of charitable organizations already on the ground. These organizations already know what they need, so monetary donations allow them to buy the exact supplies they need quickly efficiently, and without delay.
Direct Relief: Direct relief is ranked number one of the top ten best charities by Charity Navigator. They pride themselves on transparency, accountability, and providing help that helps and involves the people they serve. Direct Relief also allows donors to choose what project their money is used on. In Ukraine, Direct Relief is currently working with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to provide medical aid, like oxygen concentrators, insulin supplies, and critical care medications to the region while also preparing to offer longer-term assistance to people displaced by the war. They are providing aid for people still stuck in Ukraine and people who have fled the conflict to neighboring countries. They have also sent hundreds of emergency medical backpacks to assist Ukrainian first responders in the field. They are also preparing to help with a number of problems that will follow this humanitarian crisis, including the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and tuberculosis, a lack of chronic care medications people need to survive, and maternal health care. Website - Charity Rating
Global Giving: Global Giving is a global crowdfunding community that connects vetted nonprofits and community-led organizations to donors worldwide. This charity provides funds to community-led organizations that are best suited to provide aid and encourage long-term growth and recovery. They focus on helping other nonprofits get the supplies they need as quickly as possible. Essentially, in times of crisis when other charities, nonprofits, and community organizations are in danger of being overwhelmed, Global Giving steps in and helps support them with funding, training, tools, and much-needed supplies. They are using donations to provide shelter, food, clean water, psychosocial support, and economic assistance to those affected. Website - Charity Rating
UNICEF: UNICEF has been working to protect vulnerable children worldwide and provide them with essentials for 75 years. Their global operations focus on saving children’s lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. UNICEF has been on the ground in Ukraine since 2014 to address the effects of the pre-existing armed conflict on children in the eastern region. They have significantly scaled up operations since the war broke out in late February. UNICEF is working to provide refugees and impacted families with essential services including health, safety, water, sanitation, and life-saving supplies. They are also rushing in surgical and midwifery kits to health facilities where women have been giving birth in makeshift bunkers since the war began. Website - Charity rating
International Rescue Committee: The American branch of the International Rescue Committee was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein to help German refugees fleeing from Nazi Germany. They now work in over 40 countries worldwide to help people survive, recover, and rebuild their lives after a humanitarian disaster. They are currently helping in Ukraine by supporting evacuation efforts, delivering much-needed supplies such as groceries and warm clothes, and helping provide information on employment and housing to new refugees. They are also supporting health teams operating at the Poland border and in refugee reception centers, offering legal assistance, and providing psychosocial support and translation services. Website - Charity rating
Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders work to provide medical care to vulnerable people, including victims of natural disasters, conflict, and war. They send doctors, nurses, and other staff to the scene of disasters and provide quality emergency healthcare for free to people in crisis. They are driven by the belief that “all people should have access to high-quality health care, regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation.” Doctors Without Borders have had an established presence in Ukraine since 2014, so their volunteers were the first on the scene when this humanitarian disaster began. They are also delivering urgent medical supplies and training hospital staff to manage mass casualty events. Over 4,200 cubic feet of medical supplies have already been delivered to Ukraine so far. Website - Charity Rating
ShelterBox USA: Disasters cost millions of people their homes every year. ShelterBox addresses this aspect of a humanitarian crisis by providing emergency shelter and essential household supplies to those in need. They have provided life-saving aid to more than 2 million people. They are working with government representatives, other humanitarian organizations, and local communities to help support Ukrainians in their time of need. Website - Charity Rating
If you are looking for a way to help without making a financial donation, charities such as Nova Ukraine and Meest-America are accepting basic supplies at several locations.