How You Can Help The People Of Ukraine
From supporting local charities to contacting your local Member of Parliament, these are all the ways you can lend the Ukrainian people your support from Australia.
Last week the world watched as Russia launched its brutal attack on Ukraine. Heart-breaking coverage of the plight of the Ukrainian people has been streaming into households around the world since—haunting photographs of a myriad of destroyed homes, videos of fathers weeping as they explain to their children why they must be separated, TikToks of air raids and Instagram Reels of Russian paratroopers falling like raindrops into Kyiv.
As conflict rages on, the realities of the devastating impact on the Ukrainian people has never been more evident and Australians want, more than anything, to help.
On February 25, hundreds gathered in both Sydney and Adelaide in support of the Ukrainian community. On February 27, the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria held a rally in Melbourne and the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations spread word of a nationwide vigil—Australians lit a candle of peace and posted a picture of it on social media alongside the hashtag #StandWithUkraine.
The Australian government has also been clear on its stance. Speaking on March 1, Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned Russia and pledged $70 million in military equipment and weapons for the country as well as $35 million worth of humanitarian aid.
The unspoken call to action is being felt on a nationwide scale but it can still be confusing to know how to help. Here’s how to help the Ukrainian people from afar:
The Charities To Donate To
United Help Ukraine is a charitable non-profit that works to help those on the front lines, families of the wounded and fallen and people who have either had to leave or have lost their homes.
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal helps both veterans and civilians who are either injured, displaced or in need of urgent supplies.
The Red Cross delivers support on the ground, providing food, fuel, and medical supplies. The Ukrainian Red Cross has already delivered more than 30,000 food and hygiene parcels and provided first aid training to 2,000 people in metro stations and bomb shelters.
CARE works together with a local partner People In Need to distribute food, water, hygiene kits, sleeping bags and money for supplies to families both in the Ukraine and families that have fled to neighbouring countries.
Vostok SOS is currently working to establish a supply of humanitarian goods to Ukraine from abroad. They are helping to find displaced Ukrainians shelter and psychological first aid.
A fundraiser aimed at preparing first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Each backpack can save up to 10 lives.
Save The Children is providing urgent support for families in evacuation sites, distributing blankets, medicine and hygiene kits, as well as working in neighbouring countries Poland, Romania and Lithuania to support families fleeing Ukraine.
The charity is currently helping affected children and families from all over Ukraine, both by assisting in the evacuation process and providing emergency psychological support.
Caritas Australia is working with Caritas Ukraine to provide emergency shelters, food relief packages, and cash distributions.
Going The Extra Mile
Showing Up
If you’d like to attend an event—whether a rally or a vigil—in support of the Ukrainian people, keep up to date with plans on the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations’ Facebook page.
Reaching Out
Whether you want to organise further fundraising or a Ukraine-focused initiative in your community, or you would like the government to take a different course of action, you can write to your Senator or Member of Parliament to request their help or support. To contact your Senator or Member of Parliament, find details on their homepage using the search tool here.
Don’t forget to look out for your mental health. If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. A reminder that young people aged 5 to 25 years can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
Image: Sho Shibuya
How You Can Help The People Of Ukraine
From supporting local charities to contacting your local Member of Parliament, these are all the ways you can lend the Ukrainian people your support from Australia.
Last week the world watched as Russia launched its brutal attack on Ukraine. Heart-breaking coverage of the plight of the Ukrainian people has been streaming into households around the world since—haunting photographs of a myriad of destroyed homes, videos of fathers weeping as they explain to their children why they must be separated, TikToks of air raids and Instagram Reels of Russian paratroopers falling like raindrops into Kyiv.
As conflict rages on, the realities of the devastating impact on the Ukrainian people has never been more evident and Australians want, more than anything, to help.
On February 25, hundreds gathered in both Sydney and Adelaide in support of the Ukrainian community. On February 27, the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria held a rally in Melbourne and the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations spread word of a nationwide vigil—Australians lit a candle of peace and posted a picture of it on social media alongside the hashtag #StandWithUkraine.
The Australian government has also been clear on its stance. Speaking on March 1, Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned Russia and pledged $70 million in military equipment and weapons for the country as well as $35 million worth of humanitarian aid.
The unspoken call to action is being felt on a nationwide scale but it can still be confusing to know how to help. Here’s how to help the Ukrainian people from afar:
Image: Sho Shibuya
The Charities To Donate To
United Help Ukraine is a charitable non-profit that works to help those on the front lines, families of the wounded and fallen and people who have either had to leave or have lost their homes.
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal helps both veterans and civilians who are either injured, displaced or in need of urgent supplies.
The Red Cross delivers support on the ground, providing food, fuel, and medical supplies. The Ukrainian Red Cross has already delivered more than 30,000 food and hygiene parcels and provided first aid training to 2,000 people in metro stations and bomb shelters.
CARE works together with a local partner People In Need to distribute food, water, hygiene kits, sleeping bags and money for supplies to families both in the Ukraine and families that have fled to neighbouring countries.
Vostok SOS is currently working to establish a supply of humanitarian goods to Ukraine from abroad. They are helping to find displaced Ukrainians shelter and psychological first aid.
A fundraiser aimed at preparing first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Each backpack can save up to 10 lives.
Save The Children is providing urgent support for families in evacuation sites, distributing blankets, medicine and hygiene kits, as well as working in neighbouring countries Poland, Romania and Lithuania to support families fleeing Ukraine.
The charity is currently helping affected children and families from all over Ukraine, both by assisting in the evacuation process and providing emergency psychological support.
Caritas Australia is working with Caritas Ukraine to provide emergency shelters, food relief packages, and cash distributions.
Going The Extra Mile
Showing Up
If you’d like to attend an event—whether a rally or a vigil—in support of the Ukrainian people, keep up to date with plans on the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations’ Facebook page.
Reaching Out
Whether you want to organise further fundraising or a Ukraine-focused initiative in your community, or you would like the government to take a different course of action, you can write to your Senator or Member of Parliament to request their help or support. To contact your Senator or Member of Parliament, find details on their homepage using the search tool here.
Don’t forget to look out for your mental health. If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. A reminder that young people aged 5 to 25 years can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
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