Russia’s invasion and bombing campaign in Ukraine has sparked outrage and alarm. Many in Australia watching on from afar are asking how they can help the people of Ukraine.
Support local charities
There are several Ukrainian charities working on the ground.
Caritas Australia has been working with Caritas Ukraine since 2014 to help people affected by the humanitarian crisis, and is providing essential emergency goods including shelter, food relief and cash distributions.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations – the national peak body for 24 Ukrainian Australian community organisations – is encouraging concerned Australians to donate to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal which has pivoted to supplying urgent supplies to displaced and injured Ukrainians.
United Help Ukraine focuses on providing medical supplies and humanitarian aid, and raising awareness of the conflict.
Voices of Children aims to help children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine, providing support through art therapy, psychologists, video storytelling and a number of other methods.
The Ukrainian Red Cross is also taking donations from abroad to mobilise volunteers and provide resources and support to victims on the ground.
Save the Children is holding an appeal to support for families in evacuation sites or in villages, to help distribute emergency items such as blankets, medicine and hygiene kits, and to help neighbouring countries including Poland, Romania and Lithuania to support people fleeing Ukraine.
CARE Australia is also supporting local partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to distribute food, water, hygiene kits and money for supplies, as well as assistance to support the thousands of displaced families.
Support local journalism
English-language news outlets based in the country, such as the the Kyiv Independent and the New Voice of Ukraine, are covering developments on the ground as the conflict unfolds, using local journalists.
The Kyiv Independent says it was created by journalists in order to defend editorial independence. This site on Twitter covers many local journalists in Ukraine.
Attend an event
Hundreds of Australians gathered in Sydney and Adelaide on Friday in support of the Ukrainian community, calling for an end to the occupation.
On Sunday 27 February the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations is holding a nationwide vigil – asking Australians to light a candle of peace and upload an image with the hashtag #StandwithUkraine.
In Melbourne, the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria is holding a rally in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity on Sunday 27 February, kicking off at Treasury Gardens at 12.30pm.
The march will conclude at Federation Square at 2.30pm, followed by a community gathering over a bowl of varenyky in North Melbourne. Any profits made will be donated to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Health authorities encourage people to wear masks when unable to physically distance from others.
