Ukraine: Here's How You Can Support Those Who Need Help

As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, here are some of the ways you can offer support.

Residents in Ukraine are being urged to take cover or flee altogether after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion on the country yesterday, February 24, by sending in troops and unleashing missile strikes and shells on major cities after months of military buildup on the border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by imposing martial law on the country and encouraging citizens who were willing to fight to come forward, while leaders in the West showed their support by announcing sanctions against Russia.

Thousands of people in the country's capital, Kyiv, sought shelter in bomb shelters and metro stations on the first night of the invasion, and the following day the mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, urged locals to head to subway stations, bomb shelters and basements to avoid the attacks.

More than 130 people are so far confirmed to have died and dozens more have been injured, while images shared online tell harrowing stories of damaged buildings, deserted streets and distraught residents. The UN Refugee Agency has warned of 'devastating humanitarian consequences' due to Putin's actions, and with the potential for up to five million people to be displaced by the conflict, people across the globe have questioned the ways in which we can offer support.

Donate

There are a number of organisations which will provide support and relief for Ukrainians in need, some of which are listed below, with links to their donation pages.

Supplies for survival:

People in Need - currently providing support to 200,000 people on the ground in Ukraine, offering food, water and hygiene items as well as providing psycho-social support and counselling.

United Help Ukraine - focuses on providing medical supplies and distributing donations and food to internally displaced Ukrainians, anyone affected by the ongoing war, and the families of soldiers who have been injured or killed in the attacks. 

Razom for Ukraine - raises money to purchase and deliver essential equipment and goods, to share vital information and to put volunteers on the ground.

The Ukrainian Red Cross - assists those affected by the crisis in getting food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water.

Support for children affected by war:

UNICEF Ukraine - calls for an immediate cease-fire and peace in Ukraine while working to 'scale up life-saving programmes for children' by delivering safe water, prepositioning health, hygiene and emergency education supplies and working with municipalities to ensure there is immediate help for children and families in need. Mobile teams are also providing psychosocial care to children affected by the insecurities.

Save the Children - works to deliver essential humanitarian aid to children and their families, and has been working with Ukraine since 2014 to offer winter and hygiene kits, cash grants for families and support for children overcoming the mental and psychological impacts of conflict.

Support for refugees:

United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) - Has stepped up its operations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries as it works to ensure everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, and that those forced to flee their homes in Ukraine are sheltered and safe.

Support for armed forces:

Come Back Alive - fundraises for Ukraine's military to provide supplies such as auxiliary equipment, specialised software, drones, personal body protection and training.

Army SOS - manages purchases of 'necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, uniforms and food supply' and works to deliver the goods 'right to the hands' of troops.

Take part in a peace protest:

Join a demonstration against war in Ukraine and help make your disapproval heard. Protests are taking place across the globe, with more information available about locations here. You can also keep an eye out on social media for news of protests or action being taken in your area.

Stay informed with trusted news sources:

The Kyiv Independent - covers a timeline of ongoing events, with frequent reporting on the impacts of the invasion on both its website and Twitter page.

Ukraine World - uses social media to share first-hand footage and information from independent journalists on the front lines.

Stand With Ukraine - a community social media page which shares breakdowns of the ongoing situation and the ways in which viewers can support Ukrainians.

Write to your local MP

Encourage the British government to take further action when it comes to responding to Russia's attacks by writing a letter to your local MP via email or post. You can find out how to contact your MP here.

As Russian troops continue their advances with no comments on how long the conflict might last, those affected need all the support we can offer.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information