Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, poverty has increased with 25% of Ukrainians now living in poverty. According to a recent study by the World Health Organization and Ukraine’s Ministry of Health in 2022, 22% of people could not obtain the medication they need. About 7% of the country’s existing homes are destroyed, and millions of people are currently without electricity and water. The government of Ukraine is asking for help from international organizations and charities, as 60% of Ukraine’s budget is currently going toward defense and military expenses. Here are five charities in Ukraine.

5 Charities in Ukraine During the War

1. AIDRom. The Inter-Church AID Department Romania has helped refugees and asylum seekers since 1991, in collaboration with the Christian Churches of Romania. The charity has offered counseling and legal help since the start of the Ukrainian refugee crisis. The charity is providing public assistance and is donating vouchers for food and hygiene, helping more than 2,000 Ukrainian people who are crossing the Romanian border. AIDRom is providing medical assistance and integration of the culture. They are implementing projects for children in order to respect their culture, such as the delivery of gifts for St. Nick’s Day which is a common tradition in Ukraine. In December 2022 they organized a Christmas performance where refugee children from Ukraine sang traditional songs of both Ukraine and Romania. This project helped 30,000 Ukrainian refugees.
2. CARE. CARE is another charity operating in Ukraine, supporting vulnerable people, particularly women. It has partnerships in Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Ukraine. Volunteers are offering food, water, sleeping gear and protection from violence.  The latest report from December 19, 2022, highlighted that CARE has helped 605,000 people with food, 214,000 people with basic hygiene needs and water and 43,000 people with shelter. The organization also provided school kits to 7,200 kids in 2022.
3. Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization that started its work in helping people in 1970. It is working in partnership with more than 3,000 churches in Ukraine, transporting food and non-food supplies to poor people. During the first year of its work, the charity helped almost 12 million people and donated 100 million pounds of food. Samaritan’s Purse did 35 airlift missions, delivering more than 30 million liters of water, medical items and hygiene kits. They collaborated with the hospitals in Lviv, helping 23,500 patients. The organization helped 2,000 families with electricity, providing them with stoves and firewood.
4. Doctors without Borders. Doctors without Borders (DWB) is an organization that provides medical tools and support to disadvantaged people, affected by conflicts, exclusion and natural disasters. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Doctors without Borders started to deliver primary health care tools and certified doctors. DWB’s focus is on surgery and emergencies, but the organization also delivers medicine for people with persistent illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. DWB is active in 13 Ukrainian cities, delivering 408 metric tons of medicinal equipment with the support of more than 800 volunteers.
5. Dobrobat. Dobrobat is a charity operating in Ukraine that focuses its work on reconstruction. The charity does not repair entirely the damaged structures or houses in Ukraine, but their volunteers specialize in rapid recovery, which is the initial reconstruction, such as repairing wrecked roofs and broken windows and walls. Its purpose is to ensure that people have a shelter that protects them from the cold winter. In December 2022 the organization completed construction work at 35 sites, with the help of 430 volunteers across Ukraine.

Final Thoughts

These are just five of the numerous charities that are operating in Ukraine during the war. They are providing psychological and medical support as well as food and water supplies to those who need it the most.

– Elena Luisetto
Photo: Flickr