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How everyone is affected by the Ukraine Crisis – and how we can help
We are watching events unfold at a distance but this war on Ukraine’s freedom is very much a war on our doorstep. A war on our way of life and our freedoms and values – and it affects us all. Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Ukraine in the difficult hours that lie ahead as we all look for ways to help.
Undeniably, Ukrainian citizens are suffering the most, but Russian civilians will also not escape from the cost of war. Young soldiers from both countries, many of whom have no experience holding firearms, are being sent into battle for a war that will change lives forever.
How we are all affected
Indirectly, the global citizen will feel the pinch of rising energy bills including petrol and gas. In addition to the global financial implications, we are all affected by the war on the core values of global compassion and empathy as we struggle to understand such monstrous actions.
The need to find compassion and empathy
With natural disasters caused by global warming, the COVID pandemic and recovery, the soaring global economy and now the war in Ukraine, our world is in turmoil. We need to stand united to overcome the crisis first; compassion and empathy are urgently needed. ACTAsia’s core values are built on the need to respect others in order create a more compassionate world. By standing in others’ shoes, we can make essential changes for the benefit of all. By effecting change in our own lives, we can make a difference – whether its donating, volunteering, sharing messages or supporting families and friends.
How can we help?
ACTAsia encourages donations to one of the sites below. All donations are incredibly welcome and the links cover a wide range of charities supporting those in need – including children, refugees, local Ukrainian charities and animal charities. Health and charity workers who are looking after wounded animals and people also need means by which to survive and it is great that these charitable entities will recognise their bravery.
ACTAsia upholds a policy of non-violence and supports any organisation working towards these aims, no matter their nationality. Our thoughts are with the animals and people of Ukraine. Join us!
Charities helping Ukraine
Children
Save the Children
According to Save the Children, there are 7.5 million children who are in danger of physical harm, emotional distress and displacement due to the invasion in Ukraine. Even before the conflict escalated this week, there were already 400,000 children there who needed humanitarian aid.
Save the Children has made their own Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund to help Ukrainian families now. On their official website, the organisation said that it will use donations to help families meet their basic needs such as food, medicine and shelter.
Save the Children’s specialist teams will also help Ukrainian children get access to education and psychosocial support. https://support.savethechildren.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5751&mfc_pref=T&5751.donation=form1
Refugees / displaced people
Depaul International
Depaul International, parent organisation to Depaul Ukraine, has launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine as millions flee and face shelling from Russian forces. The homelessness charity, which works in Odessa, Kharkiv and Ivano-Frankivsk territories, is remaining in place, offering emergency shelter, advice and food to homeless people across Ukraine, who are terrified as Russia launches a full-scale invasion. The charity is urgently appealing for funds as the situation escalates.
UN Refugee Agency
Families fleeing from conflict have been confronted with the dreadful reality of having to leave husbands and fathers behind after all men over 18 were barred from crossing the border, ordered to instead stay and join the war effort. Catherine M Russell, the UNICEF executive director, said they are working across eastern Ukraine to supply safe water to conflict-affected areas and hygiene and emergency education supplies as close as possible to communities near the line of contact.
Local Ukrainian charities:
Sunflower of Peace
Sunflower Of Peace is a Ukrainian charity gathering medical supplies for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/507886070680475
United Help Ukraine
United Help Ukraine is focused on providing humanitarian aid to those in the midst of the conflict.
Animals:
Eurogroup
Eurogroup is collaborating with other organisations on the ground. If you would like to support those protecting the animals caught up in this conflict, they have provided a link to organisations working in Ukraine or with animals coming from Ukraine:
UAnimals
This is a voluntary organisation based in Ukraine. Currently they are providing food to many shelters, including farm animals and have given food to the zoo, which is also struggling. They say that it is very difficult to get aid in for animals from outside the country.
https://www.patreon.com/uanimals
NOAH
The Norwegian group is helping other European groups and individuals to collect funding for animal UAnimals in Ukraine. 100% of collecting funds will be sent to Ukraine.
https://www.dyrsrettigheter.no/familiedyr/stott-dyrene-i-ukrania-support-the-animals-in-ukraina/
