How Australians can help Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion

Australians are seeing confronting and heartbreaking scenes come out of Ukraine and many want to know how to help. This is how.

Chantelle Francis

3 min read

March 1, 2022 - 5:57PM

Volodymyr Zelensky says goodbye to EU leaders as Russia closes in on Kyiv

The world watched on as Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, with terrified residents forced to flee and seek shelter.

And the brutal invasion has continued to rage on.

Citizens in the country’s capital city, Kyiv, were urged by authorities to assemble homemade bombs in a desperate bid to protect their homes ahead of a bitter battle on Saturday.

Confronting and heartbreaking scenes have been captured and shared across the globe, with many Australians wanting to know what they can do to help.

Social media users have been asked to be cautious about spreading disinformation as it can cause harm.

Another way to help can be to donate or show your support by getting involved in events.

The world watches on as Ukrainians fight to protect their country and people as they are invaded by Russia. Picture: Anatolii Stepanov / AFP

Donations

The Ukraine Crisis Appeal

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations – the national peak body for 24 Ukrainian Australian community organisations – encourages people to donate to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. It is in collaboration with Caritas Ukraine and Rotary Australia World Community Service.

Caritas Australia

All funds raised through Caritas Australia’s Ukraine Appeal will go to Caritas Ukraine, who have been working in response to the conflict in Ukraine since 2014.

They are currently on the ground providing vital emergency support, including food, hygiene kits, clean water and emergency shelter to displaced families.

UNICEF

Children’s aid organisation UNICEF has teams on the ground in Ukraine and said its trucking in safe water to conflict-affected areas and getting emergency health, hygiene and education supplies as close as possible to line of contact.

Its also working with local municipalities to get immediate help to children and families in need, and has mobile to provide psychological care to children experiencing trauma.

A Ukrainian women holds her child as they wait to enter Romania. Many charities are helping those displaced. Picture: Daniel Mihailescu / AFP

The Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross has launched an appeal to deliver humanitarian aid. Funds will go to Red Cross teams on the ground, specialist aid workers to assist local teams, emergency relief assistance like shelter and water, and longer term recovery support.

They are also helping people restore contact with family members separated by the crisis.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said its water engineers and doctors aim to help more than three million people access clean water and improve the living conditions of more than 66,000 whose homes have been damaged by heavy fighting.

Water Mission

Water Mission is also responding to the crisis in Ukraine by sending a team tasked with assessing the safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of thousands of people fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Australia for UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a UN agency, is providing lifesaving relief to the rising number of people who have been forcibly displaced in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring countries.

Australia for UNHCR is the national fundraising partner and it has an emergency fundraising campaign specifically for Ukraine.

Voices for the Children

Founded in Ukraine, Voices for the Children provides psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by conflict.

The Kyiv Independent

Ukraine’s English-language news outlet, The Kyiv Independent, has journalists reporting from on the ground and can be supported through Patreon and GoFundMe. Its website said it was created last year by journalists to defend editorial independence.

Other organisations to consider include local groups United Help Ukraine, Vostok SOS and Come Back Alive, and Care Australia’s Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal and Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Response.

GoFundMe has an Australian hub on its website where it is adding verified Australian GoFundMe pages set up by individuals for specific purposes.

Australians are asked to light a candle in support of Ukrainians on Sunday. Picture: Nelson Almeida / AFP

Events

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations is promoting the following events on Sunday, February 27.

Melbourne, 12.30pm: Rally and Vigil for Ukraine, which includes a march from Treasury Gardens to Federation Square. It will then be followed by the opportunity to eat varenyky (a Ukrainian food) at Café Trembita, St Peters and Paul’s Church Hall, North Melbourne. All profits will go to the group’s humanitarian fund.