Well, Ukrainians are still fighting like demons against the Russian invasion. Footage online shows not just their military inflicting serious damage, but even civilians armed with nothing more than Molotov cocktails fighting back. On top of this, foreign volunteers have been heading to Ukraine even before hostilities began.
Brave Ukrainian soldiers fighting back in Kharkiv!#Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar #OpRussia #StandWithUkraine #SayNoToWar #StopRussianAggression pic.twitter.com/NRXGLMlGB0
— Dima Kolodko (@TheUADude) February 27, 2022
But for most of us, heading for warzone isn’t a possibility.
So, what can we, the people at home watching this war unfold – often with horror – do?
We can help.
There are several ways to donate both to the Government of Ukraine and to charities supporting the people there.
Now, I must add a word of warning. I’ve done as much research as I can into these outfits and believe that they are legitimate and will make best use of any donations. But I haven’t actually visited any offices or seen their work in the field for myself, so recommend you do your own due diligence on these recommendations.
With that said, you can check the links I will put in the description and check into these organization for yourself if you want to donate.
So, here are ways for you to assist.
If you want to contribute directly to the Government of Ukraine, more specifically to their military, the National Bank of Ukraine has set up a special bank account that accepts donations.
This will take Ukrainian UAH, US, Australian and Canadian dollars, British Pounds, Euros, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen and Swiss Francs. And so far this has raised about $15 million for the military of Ukraine.
The website is in Ukrainian, so you’ll need to use a translation app or browser add on, but it is fairly straight forward, and provides you with the details you need to make a bank transfer. Don’t forget to add the credit account number in your transfer description.
As for charities supporting the Ukrainian military “Come Back Alive” originally provided non-lethal military equipment, such as thermal vision scopes and supplies.
Now, I’m not sure what they spend it on, I suspect the non-lethal part has been dropped, but they are a long-established operator in the country.
For supporting the civilian victims, Voices for Children are a Ukrainian NGO that provide psychological and social support to children who have suffered as a result of the war. They’ve been working for years in Ukraine.
Of the big players in the field, the Ukrainian Red Cross has an appeal running. But many national Red Crosses are running campaigns in their own countries, and some are getting support from the governments there.
I believe the Canadians, for example, are matching citizen donations dollar for dollar, so if that is the way you want to contribute, google the Red Cross in your country.
These are just a few of the options, and you should look online for more. Just be careful, because although there are plenty of good options, I’m sure there are plenty of parasites out there looking to exploit peoples good intentions.
And if you don’t want to donate money, there are other things you can do.
Write to your elected officials and make plain your support for the Ukrainian people and that you expect them to do everything they can to make sure the government in your country is doing everything it can to assist.
Obviously, the majority of the world’s governments are standing with Ukraine, as are most politicians. But politicians do need to be reassured on a regular basis that they are on the right track, so keep prodding them because it is a job that tends to encourage a short attention span.
There is also something else you can do.
Have a look at your representative’s and the news sources you listen to and their stance on Ukraine.
If they are saying that the fight is pointless, and the Ukrainians should surrender, well, maybe ask yourself why they are taking that position.
And ask yourself this – would you surrender in the Ukrainian position?
Maybe you agree that such a fight is pointless, in which case fair enough.
But if you don’t, if you think you’d fight for your home and family – well, maybe ask why those others are taking the position they are.
Hopefully this has been useful and Long LIve Ukraine.
