Renowned chef José Andrés sent mobile kitchens to the border and financial support to Ukrainian restaurants. Three women set up a Telegram channel and website to support Black students facing racism as they try to flee. A Ukrainian nongovernmental organization is focusing on ensuring Ukrainians with disabilities have the support they need.
As the world watches Ukrainians from every background fight against Russia‘s invasion, which has resulted in thousands of casualties since it started on Feb. 24, organizations and individuals both inside and outside Ukraine are showing their support.
Anyone looking to support the Ukrainian resistance with donations has no shortage of options. However, along with legitimate organizations, there are also a number of scammers trying to benefit from the crisis. The following is a list of reputable charities and organizations that are accepting donations to assist Ukrainians affected by the fighting.
Founded in 1918, the Ukrainian Red Cross has provided relief and educational services to Ukrainians in times of natural disaster, armed conflict and catastrophe. Now, the organization’s emergency response teams are providing humanitarian aid to injured and evacuated people.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an independent, global, impartial organization that seeks to provide medical aid where it is most needed around the world. Since the invasion began, MSF – which already had a presence in the country – has been focused on providing medical supplies and training to Ukrainian hospitals. MSF teams on the ground assess the needs of local health systems, and the organization is sending experienced medical staff into the country to support local responders.
Founded by renowned chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. The food network has set up mobile kitchens at border crossings around Ukraine to meet the needs of refugees. According to its website, WCK is also financially supporting local restaurants in eight cities inside Ukraine.
Led by human rights activist Yuliia Sachuk, Fight for Right is a Ukrainian NGO focused on defending the human rights of Ukrainians living with disabilities. The organization is working to safely evacuate individuals with disabilities, and to provide them with financial support. The group is also supplying food and medicine to people unable to leave the country. Funds collected through the organization’s GoFundMe go toward its relief efforts on the ground.
Launched just three months ago, The Kiev Independent has become one of the primary English-language media outlets in Ukraine as its staffers work diligently to cover the war on the ground. The outlet’s staff launched a GoFundMe to support their efforts, in addition to a separate GoFundMe to support lesser-known Ukrainian media outlets trying to regroup and set up shop outside the country.
The Urgent Action Fund provides grants to women’s rights movements, as well as nonbinary and transgender human rights activists around the world, and is fundraising to support activists affected by the war in Ukraine.
Founded by three Black women – Korrine Sky, Tokunbo Koiki and Patricia Daley – this organization is raising money to help Black people, especially students, who are facing discrimination while trying to flee Ukraine. It was started after Sky, a Zimbabwean medical student, documented the discrimination she encountered during her attempt to leave Ukraine. Releasing updates regularly on their Twitter accounts, the founders distribute funds to cover transportation, accommodation and food costs for individuals and families. They set up a Telegram support channel and are providing guidance to Black individuals trying to leave Ukraine. They’re also seeking volunteers to help with their efforts.
Razom, meaning “together” in Ukrainian, was founded in 2014 in New York by Ukrainians in the United States who wanted to support the country’s Maidan Revolution. Founded as a way of responding to any humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the organization is now providing medical supplies to people on the ground.
Founded in 2015 as Ukraine was engaged in fighting with Russian-backed separatists, the Voices of Children Foundation focuses on ensuring psychological support to children traumatized by war. The organization provides art therapy, traveling psychologists and evacuation assistance. They also have set up a storytelling project to share the stories of Ukrainian children growing up in a war zone.
Sunflowers for Peace is an organization founded in Boston in 2014 by Ukrainian-born realtor Katya Malakhova. The organization has been raising funds for people inside Ukraine and collecting medical supplies to be shipped to the country. According to the group’s website, it works with ambassadors and partner organizations in Ukraine, such as Razom, to distribute supplies.
Started in 1919 to meet the needs of children impacted by World War I in Europe, Save the Children focuses on daily needs of children in crisis zones around the world. The organization has launched a children’s emergency fund to provide emergency food, supplies and housing to Ukrainian children.
This NGO promotes the rights of migrants entering Poland, and is providing a free emergency hotline for Ukrainians coming into Poland who need psychological assistance.
The Association for Legal Intervention is a civil society organization that focuses on the needs of migrants in Poland. It is providing pro bono legal aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Founded by four Black women in Poland, Black is Polish started as an educational Instagram platform to counter racism in Poland. It is crowdsourcing to provide housing and support for Black refugees coming from Ukraine to Poland.