Joining the world in supporting Ukraine

Virtually every update I get on my news feed is Ukraine. I read most of them, trying to keep abreast of what in hell is happening. This conflict feels more urgent to me than other atrocities in my lifetime, which is likely a combination of current circumstances, media coverage and years of mutual side-eying between Russia and America as well as the sheer barbarism of the invasion.

I also have a personal connection. About five years ago, my best friend’s family, whom I’ll call the Kays, adopted three Ukrainian children. It was a long, expensive, sometimes heartbreaking process, but completely worth it to them. I designed T-shirts and donated artwork for their fundraising efforts. Today the Kays’ plus-three are growing into amazing teenagers in a loving home. I haven’t seen them since I moved to Missouri, but whenever I think of Ukraine, I immediately remember them.

The trio’s eldest brother, who aged out of the Ukrainian orphanage system while his siblings were being adopted, spent some time in the U.S. before returning home and joining the military last year. Now he’s on the front lines, keeping in touch with the Kays through sporadic social media messages. All I can do is pray he remains safe and alive, keep his brothers and sister in my thoughts, and keep scrolling through the news.

Naturally, I want to do more, and I’m not alone. Here are some of the many organizations accepting donations to help Ukrainian refugees and deliver medical supplies in and out of the country.

Ukrainian Red Cross: Like the American Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross is dedicated to emergency response, volunteerism and blood collections. They are accepting donations at redcross.org.ua/en/donate/

International Medical Corps: IMC is “expanding access to medical and mental health services for those living in affected communities, and working to help refugees,” according to their website. Donate at internationalmedicalcorps.org.

CARE: CARE is helping refugee families with the goal of providing 4 million people with emergency assistance including food, water and hygiene kits. They prioritize women, children and the elderly. Donate at care.org.

World Health Organization: WHO has opened an emergency appeal on their website for funds to provide emergency healthcare to Ukrainian refugees, displaced persons and those remaining in place. The appeal’s website is ukraine.who.foundation.

UNICEF USA: Their Ukraine response pays extra attention to children and involves delivering emergency supplies and water to communities near the line of contact with Russian forces, and providing psychosocial care to children surviving a period of instability, violence and trauma. Their website is unicefusa.org.

These are only five of the myriad organizations trying to aid in different facets of the crisis. Many news organizations like NPR, CBS and Vox have compiled lists of trustworthy resources, which everyone should feel free to examine as well.