Solidarity: How To Do Your Part For Ukraine

The ongoing crisis in Ukraine is about us all – meaning that each one of us can play a part in helping out with the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia aggression to the democratic Ukraine. Solidarity, a word that pervades the European Programmes for youth, is now most importantly needed, and must be put in place to help the people unfairly involved in the war.

You might be wondering, how can I help?

We have collected and summarised several ways you can actually play your part in practising solidarity for those who mostly need it.

Inform Yourself Through Trustworthy Channels

The European Commission is providing trustworthy sources of news, to let people be aware about what is a fact and what is a fake news. Being conscious about what we read and which is the source of the news we are exposed to, is crucial.

Emergency Assistance

The European Union continues to coordinate emergency assistance for Ukrainians via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Already, 26 European countries have offered support such as medical aid kits, medicines, sleeping bags and generators. The first trucks have already reached Kyiv, and more others are on the way. The EU is also coordinating assistance from several neighbouring countries to help respond to the influx of refugees. This include ambulances, tents, blankets, and masks.

Source: EU External Action Service

Temporary Residence Permit

The European Union is moving toward granting temporary protection to those fleeing Russia’s invasion as it steps up aid for Ukraine. The European Commission announced Wednesday it will give temporary residence permits to the refugees and allow them the right to education and work in the 27-nation bloc. The move still has to be approved by the member states, but they already expressed broad support over the weekend.

Source: Euronews

Here’s a list of trustworthy sources of news you can keep yourself up-to-date with:

• On-site photo reporters: Salwan Georges (Georges is a staff photojournalist at The Washington Post currently working on the ground in Kharkiv, Ukraine. In recent days he has shared photos of Ukrainians trying to find shelter from the Russian invasion), Oksana Parafeniuk (Parafeniuk is an independent photographer based in Kyiv and has previously worked for the New York Times and NBC News. On her social media account she has been sharing photos of individuals in Kyiv, including those attending defence training sessions.), Serhii Korovainyi (Korovainyi is a documentary maker and portrait photographer who is sharing photos of displaced Ukrainians on his social media accounts), Olga Tokariuk (As freelance reporter who works in Kyiv, Tokariuk is Tweeting and retweeting posts about the crisis, including sharing photos of displaced Ukrainians);
• Newspapers in English: The Kyiv Independent, UKRINFORM, BBC News, CCN, Ukraine World, The New Voice of Ukraine
• European Union: EU Newsroom, Euronews, European Commission

If you can, donate

This website summarises all the way you can donate money or goods.

Organisations on the ground and globally are actively supporting people within Ukraine and refugees seeking safety elsewhere with medical and humanitarian aid:

1. People in Need is providing humanitarian aid to over 200,000 people on the ground. For those most in need, they provide food packages, emergency shelter, safe access to drinking water, hygiene items, and coal for heating. Donate here.

2. The Ukrainian Red Cross does loads of humanitarian work, from aiding refugees to training doctors. Donate here.

3. The International Medical Corps is on the front lines and prepared to help citizens with emergency health care services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. The agency is also keeping the pandemic top of mind throughout the crisis by prioritising COVID-19 awareness and prevention services, to help keep displaced citizens safe from the pandemic. Donate here.

4. CARE International is responding to the crisis by providing Ukrainians in need with food, hygiene kits, psychosocial support services, access to water, and access to cash. Donate here.

5. Nova Ukraine is a nonprofit that delivers aid packages to Ukraine with everything from baby food and hygiene products, to clothes and household supplies. Donate here.

6. UNICEF is repairing schools damaged by the bombings and providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict. Donate here.

7. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency has stepped up its operations and is working with governments in neighbouring countries “calling on them to keep borders open to those seeking safety and protection.” You can help support the UNHCR’s work supporting refugees by donating here, and take action here to send a tweet urging governments and businesses to support the United Nations’ urgent appeal for $1.7 billion to deliver life-saving humantarian support.

8. OutRight Action is helping support LGBTQ+ groups and organisations on the ground, setting up shelters and providing safety for citizens. All donations made to OutRight will go directly to the cause. You can donate here.

9. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is deploying emergency operations in Ukraine and surrounding countries to provide food assistance to those fleeing the conflict. Donate here.

10. Save the Children is working with partners to respond to meet the urgent needs of affected children and their families. It’s ready to provide life-saving assistance, such as food, water, cash transfers, and safe places for children as people flee amid freezing temperatures and brutal conditions, and to scale up options to ensure children impacted by the crisis have the support they need. Find out more and donate here.

11. Mercy Corps is mobilising a team to the region to assess where help is most needed, and is anticipating providing emergency cash assistance, as well as supporting local organisations that know their community needs best. Between 2015 and 2017, Mercy Corps provided humanitarian assistance in eastern Ukraine, reaching more than 200,000 people with emergency cash, food, water, and sanitation supplies, small business development grants, restoring war-damaged homes and more. Find out more and donate here.

12. Medical Teams International is fundraising to send medical supplies to the region, with all procees going towards sending medicines and/or medical supplies. Learn more and donate here.

Take Action

Consider joining demonstrators in the nearest place to you. Demonstrations have taken to the streets to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Find your nearest demonstration here. Consider printing leaflets and posters. If your town isn’t holding a demonstration, consider organising one. Chances are, there will be many others who will want to join you.

In addition to offering financial support, sharing accurate, fact-based information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine with your friends, family, and social media followers can help raise awareness about the situation. Show your support on social media using the hashtag #StandWithUkraine. Show solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.