What is going on in Ukraine and what can we do to help?
- For Change
- Jul 10, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 11, 2022
Article by Dawn-Marie Alexander
While the world suffers from a pandemic and a climate crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin bravely announces the invasion of Ukraine, their neighbouring territory, instigating the most current and brutal war-crimes since World War II. Many people have been displaced from their homes and are desperately making their way out of the only land they’ve known.
Since the end of 2021, Russian soldiers began setting up troops and positioned their airforce and navy on the Ukrainian border. On the 24th of February, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. President Putin announced a “military operation” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. This area is home to many Russian-speaking Ukrainians. (BBC,2022) He advises other nations to refrain from getting involved, reminding them of their nuclear power and threatening them with their “instant and devastating response.”
This invasion is as a result of Ukraine’s closer ties with the European Union and with NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). Russia, their neighbouring country, sees these organisational ties as an economic and strategic threat to its own country.
But Ukraine has not stopped fighting back, only receiving financial and militia assistance from members of NATO about two months into their fight. These NATO members have also been implementing sanctions on Russia, resulting in the global increase in oil prices and economic decline among all states involved.
Over the past months, over 700 civilians have been reportedly killed in Russian attacks. About 6.5 million people have been displaced within the country and 4 million have been forced to flee into neighbouring European states. A plethora of public infrastructure has also been destroyed, resulting in inadequate water, heat and electricity. Roads and bridges have been destroyed and therefore impassible, restricting thousands of people from stores and health facilities, which have also been gravely damaged. Further violence will devastate Ukraine’s already weakened infrastructure. The country’s health system is fragile and its economy has declined drastically.
Women, children, marginalised communities and the poor have been predominantly affected. Parents are taking heartbreaking measures to protect their children, including sending them to school wearing stickers identifying their blood types in case of bombings. In the current crisis, people of colour, especially migrants are reporting experiencing racism at the country’s borders while trying to leave the country. Footage has even gone viral of Black persons being blocked from boarding trains by police. (Global Citizen)
While many of us are torn and feel helpless when we think about the scale of damage both environmental and humane, there are multiple ways we can help.
Here are some organisations you can donate to in assisting those in need:
1. The Ukrainian Red Cross aids refugees and trains doctors to assist in the current climate.
(Donate here: https://redcross.org.ua/en/donate/)
2. UNICEF is repairing schools damaged by bombing and provides emergency response to the children affected by conflict.
(Donate here: https://www.unicefusa.org/war-ukraine?
form=FUNKBHMZQDQ&utm_campaign=20220223_Emergencies&utm_medium=Organic&u tm_source=HelpUkraineFeb2022&utm_content=TakeActionDonateUkraineFeb2022&ms=Or ganic_PRL_2022_Emergencies_20220223_HelpUkraineFeb2022_TakeActionDonateUkraine
Feb2022_none_none&initialms=Organic_PRL_2022_Emergencies_20220223_HelpUkraine Feb2022_TakeActionDonateUkraineFeb2022_none_none)
3. WHO (World Health Organisation Foundation) is raising funds for WHO’s Healthy Emergency Appeal for Ukraine
(Donate here: https://www.ukraine.who.foundation/)
4. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is deploying emergency operations in Ukraine and surrounding countries to provide food assistance to those fleeing the conflict (Donate here: https://donatenow.wfp.org/wfp/~my-donation?
ns_ira_cr_arg=IyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMydB7beRrJGGaX%2BATU GWBktLztYtncu9%2Btooq6A%2FKG44pn3XAe7eK%2FhvZ32NqjRa3lk2tYrKG9jwdHP9yN2O w5&ms=UkraineConflict_REF_MEDIA&_cv=1)
5. Outright Action International is helping support LGBTQ+ groups and organisations by setting up shelters in Ukraine.
(Donate here: https://outrightinternational.org/ukraine?form=Ukraine)
If you cannot donate, there are also alternative ways to help. You can:
- Stay informed. Keep updated with latest news.
- Learn more about the history behind the conflict, to debunk any myths that may come your way.
- Spread awareness. Use social media and other social platforms to bring awareness to friends and family.
- Join or start a Peace Protest. Take action with Global citizen by taking their pledge to protest (link: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/)
Let’s work together, one step at a time, to stand with Ukraine.
Sources
Comments