How to Help With the Ukraine Crisis

On February 24th, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine after amassing troops at the border for months prior. Since then, over 4.5 million Ukrainian refugees (as of April 13th) have fled their country to escape the conflict. 

Those citizens who are still in Ukraine are facing the threat of further violence and destruction as Russian forces continue their attack. Many of them have resorted to taking shelter in subways and other makeshift bunkers. The invasion and the ongoing conflict have resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, leaving many individuals around the world to wonder how they can help the situation.

Here are some of the best ways to help with the Ukraine crisis:

• Understand What Is Happening – Staying informed is the first step in figuring out how to help Ukraine. If you don’t know what is going on, then you can’t expect to know how to best assist those who need support. This means you should stay informed and get information from credible news sources with a long experience in international reporting. 
  

• Support Ukrainians in Your Community – Another way to help with the Ukraine crisis is to support Ukrainians in your local community. This can be as simple as shopping at Ukrainian-owned businesses, participating in fundraising events—like purchasing food from local Ukrainian communities—or helping Ukrainian organizations in any other way. Ukrainians in your community may know how to help those most in need in Ukraine—maybe even their friends and family members—so supporting them in your area can allow them to provide critical assistance back home.
  

• Support Organizations Helping Ukrainians – One of the best ways to help Ukrainians is by supporting organizations that are actively working to assist those impacted by the situation. Many charities and nonprofit organizations are helping to get Ukrainian refugees resettled in nearby countries, as well as providing them with humanitarian assistance—food, water, shelter, and more. Donating to these organizations allows them to continue the crucial work they are doing, and is the quickest way to make a positive impact and help Ukrainians.
  

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including Ukrainian refugees currently in need. Together with our partner agencies, we are working on providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees, as well as calling on governments around the world to provide immediate support to all Ukrainians in need of protection.

In the U.S., our national member, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is advocating for cease-fire zones so civilian populations can escape to safety. Our European office has asked European Union Member States to establish Temporary Protection Directives so that Ukrainian asylum-seekers be offered better protection across all EU countries. In countries bordering Ukraine, our member organizations are working to welcome and provide support to refugees fleeing the conflict. 
We rely on generous donations to continue our critical work, so consider making a donation to help make a difference in the lives of Ukrainian refugees today!