It has been exactly one year since Russia invaded Ukraine.
It’s been a long year, full of loss and destruction. Many anticipated a quick Russian victory. Instead, Ukraine demonstrated an unexpected resilience and an ability to marshal support from allies. But as the war continues, Ukrainian families are still suffering from shortages of basic necessities such as food, shelter, medicine and fuel.
Back in December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House to deliver a clear message: Ukraine is still in dire need of economic, humanitarian and military assistance.
Here are 7 verified charities that are working tirelessly to provide aid to Ukraine. Each donation they receive, whether big or small, goes toward their efforts to provide support to victims of war.
Sunflower of Peace
The nonprofit Sunflower of Peace is currently raising money to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Each backpack is designed for groups of five to 10 people and includes an array of first aid supplies, such as bandages, anti-hemorrhagic medicine and medical instruments. Last year, the organization organized fundraisers to provide power generators and medicine to those in need. It also shipped thousands of hand and foot warmers, snow pants, winter jackets, thermal wear and winter boots to Ukraine.
Voices of Children
The Ukraine-based aid organization Voices of Children helps to evacuate families with children and provide them with housing, food and clothing. On top of that, it works with over 50 psychologists to offer support to children who have been traumatized by the war. Those efforts include art therapy, video storytelling and sessions with mobile psychologists.
Lifting Hands International
With Ukrainians in urgent need of warm supplies as fuel shortages cut off heat from homes, Lifting Hands International has seven operating centers on the ground right now in Ukraine where it distributes thermal underwear, boots, sleeping bags, battery-powered incubators and power generators. Its website allows donors to choose which items — all specifically requested by Ukrainians — they would like to contribute.
A Chance in Life's Relief 4 Ukraine Fund
A Chance In Life began in 1945, in the aftermath of World War II, as a way to support refugees and migrant youth. As more than 900,000 Ukrainian refugees—the vast majority of whom are women and children—are expected to flee to Italy, the organization has established programs in Rome and Civitavecchia, as well as complementary sites in Naples, that provide transportation, housing, food, clothing, education, medical care, mental health counseling and more. Donations can be made to its Relief 4 Ukraine fund.
Global Empowerment Mission
The Miami-based Global Empowerment Mission is on the ground in the tiny village of Medyka, Poland, to provide aid to Ukrainian refugees, such as train and plane tickets to help them reach family or friends in Europe. To date, it has reloaded 38,744 Ukrainians and has delivered 751 aid trucks to Ukraine and neighboring countries. It has also repaired 180 homes and 18 buildings.
“They have an opportunity to stay with a friend of theirs in a bordering country where they’re warm and they can eat nice meals at the table,” GEM founder Michael Capponi told Today.com.
World Central Kitchen
For refugees, food is an immediate need. Chef Jose Andrés has set up his World Central Kitchen on the ground at the border of Ukraine and Poland, providing warm meals for the hungry. WCK has built the largest food relief operation in Ukraine, reaching more than 230 cities and towns. Combined with the seven other countries it still cooks in daily, WCK has now served over 25 million meals. Its website offers options for people who want to donate.
United24
United24 was founded in May 2022 by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to raise funds and support for Ukraine amidst the Russian-Ukrainian war. The digital global initiative easily allows people from all over the world to donate funds, which are then distributed among the Ukrainian departments that need them most: defense, medical aid and humanitarian programs. Since its inception, United24 has purchased over 48,000 sets of body armor, 65,000 army uniforms, 10 X-ray machines and 30 drones to assist with military activity.
