In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale land, sea and air invasion of Ukraine. As of August 2022, the fighting has caused the internal migration of more than 6.6 million Ukrainians. Military losses are extreme on both sides, with an estimated 9,000 Ukrainians dead and 45,200 Russians either wounded or killed, NPR reported in August 2022.

A Restricted Response

Due to Russia’s economic, social and military power, it is extremely difficult for other nations to assist Ukraine. Slovakia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands and Latvia all heavily depend on Russian oil. These countries are virtually unable to assist Ukraine, as this factor has caused inflation and threatens economic collapse.

Larger, less dependent countries, such as the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom, are also restricted due to the veto power of the United Nations. Because of Russia’s veto power — determined by the outcome of World War II — the United Nations as a whole has no capability of placing any restrictions or punishments on Russia for the country’s actions. However, despite these challenges, countries worldwide are still attempting to use their power to assist Ukraine.

Aid That is Helping Ukraine

In the United States, Ukrainians have risen to the top of the immigration list. As of June 2022, the U.S. has accepted more than 20,000 Ukrainian refugees and has provided them with food, clothing, technology, housing and education upon their arrival. The U.S. also placed several sanctions on Russia and has invested $19.3 billion in security defense for Ukraine since January 2021. This includes $18.3 billion since “Russia’s launched its premeditated, unprovoked, and brutal war against Ukraine on February 24, [2022].” Along with the U.S., Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands and the United Kingdom have also sent military aid to Ukraine.

Countries located closer to Ukraine – Poland, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary – are helping Ukraine by accepting and providing for millions of displaced Ukrainians. Over the past year, several nonprofit organizations have also joined in helping Ukraine, such as United24, Razom for Ukraine, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, International Medical Corps, Voices of the Children and more.

The current aid that various organizations are offering Ukraine varies from health care to psychological support. Voices of the Children, for example, is a charitable foundation in Ukraine, that aims to provide psychological and psychosocial support for children who experience war, while Save the Children helps deliver lifesaving aid to vulnerable children in Ukraine. UNICEF, similar to other major organizations, supports the sanitation and protection of the Ukrainian people by providing a variety of aid and an immense amount of assistance from volunteers.

Looking Ahead

As the Ukrainian War trudges on, these efforts are becoming vital to the country’s survival and its people. Through these efforts, the Ukrainian people may be able to focus more on themselves and their families, rather than the stress of survival.

– Sania Patel
Photo: Flickr