Helping Ukraine and Ukrainians
What’s going on in Ukraine right now is heartbreaking. The unprovoked and illegal invasion by Russia is shameful.
I hope you’ll feel called to help. It’s likely that most of us able to give have not given directly to Ukrainian organizations before. Given that, here are a list of organizations helping out in Ukraine, along with the notable people and organizations that have recommended them.
A lot of these involve sending wires. I’ve specially marked places that accept PayPal or credit card payments. I’ll also be updating this as more information comes in.
Additionally, you might take a look at Vox’s guide: How you can help Ukrainians.
Supporting Ukraine’s military
Send money directly to raise funds for Ukraine’s Armed Forces
This is a special account set up by the National Bank of Ukraine. Money accepted in a wide variety of currencies.
You might have issues sending wires here from the US as the “beneficiary” is the bank itself, but do call your bank if you have any issues (we had to work with Bank of America a bit to get it sorted).
Social proof: Ukraine’s verified Twitter account, mentioned in an article by New Eastern Europe that Andrea Chalupa called “a trusted source”. I’m hardly a notable person, but our family have given to this fund.
Come Back Alive (accepts credit card payments and Apple Pay)
A charity that buys body armor, drones, and other supplies for the Ukrainian army.
Social proof: Ukraine’s verified Twitter account again. Mentioned in a list at Ukraine Crisis Media Center that was shared by journalist Olga Tokariuk. Shared directly by journalist at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum. Also featured on a list by author Timothy Snyder. Recommended by the Kyiv Independent in an article by their defense reporter Illia Ponomarenko.
Army SOS (accepts Western Union and MoneyGram transfers)
Uses donated funds to help purchase supplies for the Ukrainian military, including ammunition, shields and food.
Social proof: Appears in a list at the Independent, mentioned in an article by New Eastern Europe that Andrea Chalupa called “a trusted source”. Mentioned in a list at Ukraine Crisis Media Center that was shared by journalist Olga Tokariuk. Also featured on a list by author Timothy Snyder for ways to donate via credit card.
Hospitallers (accepts Western Union and MoneyGram transfers)
Medics that work on the front line.
Social proof: Mentioned in a list at Ukraine Crisis Media Center that was shared by journalist Olga Tokariuk. Also featured on a list by author Timothy Snyder. Mentioned in an article by New Eastern Europe that Andrea Chalupa called “a trusted source”.
Phoenix Wings
Phoenix Wings “provides the Ukrainian army with the necessary assistance in regards to the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers and acquisition the personal first aid kits, and repair of the buildings used by the army.”
Social proof: Mentioned in a list at Ukraine Crisis Media Center that was shared by journalist Olga Tokariuk. Mentioned in an article by New Eastern Europe that Andrea Chalupa called “a trusted source”.
Assisting Refugees and Emergency Response
United Help Ukraine (accepts PayPal)
United Help Ukraine, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization receiving and distributing donations, food and medical supplies to Ukrainian IDPs (internally displaced people), people of Ukraine affected by Russia’s invasion into Eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, families of wounded or killed for freedom and independence of Ukraine.
This is the US arm, so you can donate via donor-advised funds, etc.
Social proof: Has an 85% rating at Charity Navigator. Featured on a list by author Timothy Snyder. Appears in a list at the Independent shared by journalist at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum.
Razom Emergency Response (accepts PayPal and credit card payments)
Razom for Ukraine’s emergency response will use donations to purchase and deliver essential goods, translate important documents and sources, share vital information, and put volunteers on the ground.
Social proof: Appears in a list at the Independent shared by journalist at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum. The work of Razom also features in a list by author Timothy Snyder, though at the time of writing the link he shares is to a different project they run.
Sunflower of Peace (accepts PayPal and credit card payments via Facebook Pay)
The nonprofit organization is raising money to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
Each backpack is designed for groups of 5 to ten people and includes an array of first aid supplies — such as bandages, anti-hemorrhagic medicine and medical instruments, according to the organization's Facebook page.
Social proof: Appears in a list posted by NPR (from which the blurb above is taken). Also appears in a list at the Independent shared by journalist at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum.
Voices of Children (accepts credit card payments and Apple Pay)
This foundation “helps children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine. Thanks to you, we provide psychological and psychosocial support to children. It helps them overcome the consequences of armed conflict and develop.”
Social proof: Featured on a list by author Timothy Snyder. Appears in a list posted by NPR. Also appears in a list at the Independent shared by journalist at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum. Mentioned in an article by New Eastern Europe that Andrea Chalupa called “a trusted source”.
Libereco Partnership for Human Rights (accepts credit card payments)
“Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights is an independent German-Swiss non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection of human rights in Belarus and Ukraine.”
“Together with our Ukrainian partner organisation Vostok SOS, Libereco has launched an extensive aid operation for Ukraine. The aim is to address the most urgent needs of the people in the immediate danger zone, to bring them medicines and bandages, to help them evacuate and to find temporary housing.”
Social proof: Mentioned in an article by New Eastern Europe that Andrea Chalupa called “a trusted source”. Also featured on a list by author Timothy Snyder for ways to donate via credit card. Mentioned by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez on her Instagram stories (screenshot to right).
World Central Kitchen (accepts PayPal and credit card payments)
World Central Kitchen is currently on the ground in Poland, feeding refugees fleeing Ukraine—and hope to be inside Ukraine soon.
This donation goes to their emergency fund, but is not explicitly limited to their work in Ukraine.
Social proof: Here's their founder, Chef José Andrés, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. José was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2018. Here’s a video of Sam Bloch from WCK in Poland at the Ukrainian border, along with pictures of their work there taken February 25th. The charity also has a 100% rating from Charity Navigator. I’m hardly a notable person, but we’ve given here, if that helps to encourage you.
Save the Children
US branch (accepts PayPal and credit card payments)
UK branch (accepts PayPal, credit card payments, and Apple Pay)
“Save the Children has also launched an emergency fund that will go towards distributing essential humanitarian aid to children and their families, delivering winter and hygiene kits, providing cash grants to families and access to education, and giving psychological support to children.”
This donation goes to their emergency fund, but is not explicitly limited to their work in Ukraine.
Social proof: Appears in a list posted by NPR. Also appears in a list at the Independent shared by journalist at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum. We have given here in the past, but not specifically during the crisis in Ukraine.
Help support getting kids from Tikva Odessa orphanage to safety (accepts credit card payments)
“Tikva Odessa orphanage (an incredible organization my family is involved with) is working to evacuate 300 children to safety. They need our support to get them out & have provisions.”
Social proof: Shared by journalist Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll. Has a 97% rating at Charity Navigator. We’ve given here.
Other International Charities Working in Ukraine
The Red Cross: US branch, UK branch, Irish branch. The Irish branch is also asking Irish people to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees.
Médecins Sans Frontières: US branch, UK branch, Irish branch.
Know and speak the truth
Here’s a list based on advice from the Ukraine Crisis Media Center:
Disinformation is part of Russia’s strategy. Look for reliable and fact-checked news.
Here’s a Twitter list of “Ukr gov, journos, orgs, foreign journos, & OSINT” from Gavin Sheridan. He also says “Treat info with care / *graphic content warning*”
Here’s a Twitter list of "reporters on the ground and others who know what they’re talking about” from Daniel Dale.
The words we use are important.
Russian troops in Ukraine are not “peacekeepers”, they are invaders.
Russia describes this as a “special military operation”, but this is euphemism. This is an invasion of a sovereign country, and a war of choice.
The so-called “L/DPR” in eastern Ukraine are not “self-declared republics” or “breakaway regions”, they are the Russian puppet republics.
One thing that Russia points to as a sign of Ukrainian aggression, as justification for their invasion, is an “assassination attempt” which was clearly staged with cadavers—obviously so, to the point where the bodies bear the marks of autopsies performed before being placed in the vehicle.