The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military is creating one of the most significant humanitarian crises in the world, with millions of people in need of food, shelter, and emergency assistance.
A month into the war, more than 3.7 million Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries – the sixth-largest refugee outflow over the past 60-plus years, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of United Nations data. The Ukrainian Ministry of Health estimates that 18 million people have been affected by Russia’s invasion, with 12 million requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
On March 1, 2022, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners launched coordinated emergency appeals for funding to deliver humanitarian support to people in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries. The United Nations has predicted that 10 million Ukrainians – approximately one-quarter of the population – could be displaced by the conflict.
Organizations Offering Assistance In Ukraine
Airlink provides airlifts of emergency supplies and relief workers for 130+ aid organizations responding to disasters and other humanitarian crises occurring around the world. The organization works with airlines, logistics partners, and donors to provide medical care, food, shelter, access to clean water, and other essential assistance to communities in crisis.
Catholic Relief Charities and Caritas International have partners on the ground to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, fuel to keep warm, transport to safe areas, and counseling support in Ukraine and bordering countries.
The International Medical Corps is expanding its relief efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries to provide medical, mental health, and protection services to those affected by the conflict.
The International Rescue Committee is helping to welcome the refugees from the conflict in Poland and is supporting partners in Ukraine.
Project HOPE is on the ground and coordinating with local organizations in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania to provide medical supplies and care inside Ukraine as well as in the surrounding countries
Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund is providing children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash assistance.
Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch #3 has direct connections with Ukraine and has been providing humanitarian efforts, mostly medical supplies, since 1965.
World Central Kitchen is on the ground feeding people fleeing Ukraine. They are set up at 8 border crossings and are also feeding families who are staying.
CFSA donors Phil and Carol Lyons are generously matching donations to Project HOPE and Save the Children to encourage others to support relief efforts in Ukraine and surrounding areas. Phil and Carol will donate up to $50,000 in match funds, matching $25 for each $100 donated for the first $200,000. Click here to learn more.
Response Funds
Several funds have been established to help direct philanthropic resources to those in need. CFSA will update this list as additional funds are announced.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has established the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund to address humanitarian needs that arise, particularly among the most vulnerable, marginalized, and at-risk internally-displaced peoples and refugees. CDP is also in contact with and can grant to Ukrainian and other international organizations that are not 501(c)3 entities.
The King Baudouin Foundation United States (KBFUS) launched a Humanitarian Response Fund for Ukraine. The fund is pooling contributions to be distributed to three nonprofits working on the frontlines – Caritas Ukraine, People in Need Ukraine, and the Polish Red Cross. These organizations are providing food, shelter, and medical assistance to vulnerable individuals across Ukraine and to the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who are seeking refuge in other countries.
Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights has established an Urgent Response Fund to support women, trans, and nonbinary activists on the ground in and surrounding Ukraine by providing flexible funding and security support.
GoFundMe.org established the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund and is collaborating with a number of partners, including the U.S. State Department and GlobalGiving, to identify organizations providing effective relief to individuals and families impacted by the war.
Other Response Funds:
Local Refugee Efforts
Southern Arizona has a long history of welcoming displaced people. If your generosity extends to both local and international assistance, the following organizations are offering critical services to refugees in Southern Arizona.
Catholic Community Services – Tucson provides resettlement services to welcome refugees into their new lives and community. Services include case management, links to employment, job readiness training for adults, transportation, housing, short-term financial assistance, English as Second Language class for adults, and school registration for children.
The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project provides free legal and social services to adults and unaccompanied children in immigration custody in Arizona.
The International Rescue Committee provides high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services to refugees, asylees, and other immigrants in Southern Arizona who need help applying for citizenship, green cards, petitioning for family members, travel documents, work authorization, and other immigration services.
Iskashitaa Refugee Network creates opportunities to integrate United Nations refugees into the Southern Arizona community while educating the public, strengthening the local food system, reducing local food waste, and increasing food security.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is joining efforts to urge the Biden administration to support Ukrainians here and abroad by:
- Providing humanitarian assistance
- Rebuilding a robust, well-resourced refugee program
- Designating Ukraine for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to protect Ukrainians already in the U.S.
- Granting Special Student Relief (SSR) to allow eligible students from Ukraine to remain in the U.S.
If you are interested in supporting one of these organizations or funds through your CFSA Donor Advised Fund, please log into the CFSA Donor Portal to give online or call us for assistance at 520-770-0800.