Across the ocean, on the eastern side of the European continent, there is a country many may have not thought much about until this year. Until its neighbor invaded, and began destroying it. Anyone who knows me well knows my mother’s side of the family is Ukrainian. I’ve often had people ask me what they can do to help Ukraine, what resources they can access and what they can say. If you’ve been wondering what you can do to help, it is my hope that the resources I’m providing here will give you further incentive to donate money or just spread the word. Every cent and voice matters.

World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit organization aiming to provide meals in the wake of disaster. Founded in 2010, they have spent the last 12 years providing more than 70 million meals to those in need. Since the very first day of the war in Ukraine, WC Kitchen has been partnering with local chefs and restaurants to help those that have been displaced due to the bombing of their homes.

My uncle was in Poland last month helping WC Kitchen provide meals for those in need. It is an organization doing extraordinary work. While volunteering directly may not be an option, I encourage you to consider a financial donation if possible. Every cent it receives in donations goes directly to helping the people without access to meals at this time.

Donate to World Central Kitchen. 

Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organization. It was established to help the people of Ukraine pursue a free, democratic society. They are currently focusing on shipping “urgently needed humanitarian aid” that can help save countless lives in Ukraine. This aid includes medical and hospital supplies and equipment as well as technological equipment that can help with emergency response.

Razom is trying to help people in Ukraine who have no access to the simple medical supplies we often take for granted, like gauze and bandages. Women have no feminine hygiene products, and people all throughout the country do not have basic supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste and toilet paper while they suffer through food shortages and homelessness. It is important to note, however, that Razom does not accept clothing, food and toys, though if you want to donate in the form of those three items, there are more resources in this article that accept them.

While donating is a phenomenal way to support Ukraine, Razom is encouraging people to participate in “informational efforts,” by spreading the word about Ukraine on their social media platforms, writing or calling elected officials, signing petitions or running a fundraiser on behalf of Razom or the organization of your choice.

Donate to Razom. 

More information and FAQ’s on Razom. 

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society is another non-profit humanitarian organization that focuses on disaster management and healthcare. Each day the staff and those who volunteer help to provide food, hygiene products, medicine, water, bed linens and other essentials that many lack right now. The Ukrainian Red Cross has been helping Ukraine since the very first day of the war providing countless tons of emergency aid and has helped more than one million people throughout the country since February in need of critical care and various essentials.

Donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross. 

For pet lovers, the International Fund for Animal Welfare is teaming up with animal shelters in Ukraine. Many people have had no choice but to leave their pets and animals behind. Animals have been found alone in houses abandoned by their owners or out on the streets searching for food.

The IFAW has been invested in Ukraine since the 2014 invasion by Russia. Currently, their disaster response team is stationed on the Poland-Ukraine border to help refugees as well as the pets they’ve brought with them. They are giving the animals food and shelter as their owners will likely not be able to continue traveling with them. The animal welfare fund is doing everything it can to help these animals and give them new homes and provide the safety they so desperately need. These animals are alone and scared, wondering where on earth their owners have gone. Some have been left in their owners houses which are being destroyed by the missiles and bombs raining down upon the country.

Donate to the IFAW. 

In addition, it is possible to donate through Airbnb by renting out rooms to be used by Ukrainian refugees. Many people in other countries have been purchasing time in Airbnbs and then allowing those in need in Ukraine to take the rooms for themselves and their families as, already, refugee camps and shelters throughout the country are being overrun or attacked during the ongoing invasion.

See more here.

Many of you have likely heard of the funds Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have encouraged people to donate to. They agreed to match donations up to $3 million. So far, they have over $35 million worth of money raised for Ukraine.

Donate to the GoFundMe. 

Other organizations to consider:

• UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund)
• UN Refugee Agency
• USA for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees