Last week marked the start of a terrifying time for the people of Ukraine, who have been forced to either flee for their lives or stay behind to defend their nation amid one of the worst security crises of Europe. Since Putin's order of Russia's invasion of the country, social media has been flooded with numerous heartbreaking scenes from the ground, each palpable with anger, fear and desperation; one can only fathom the courage Ukrainians have had to muster to continue facing a reality so devastating and bizarre as the one we live in today.
Raising awareness and keeping abreast with the latest news is crucial to supporting Ukraine, but if you feel that you are able to offer more tangible support in the form of humanitarian aid, we've compiled a list of Ukrainian-approved NGOs that you can direct your funds to.
The Singapore Red Cross
Working through the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Singapore Red Cross has initiated a public fundraising appeal from 25 February to 31 May 2022 to raise more funds to aid the expected massive humanitarian operations. This came with a pledge to contribute US$100,000 to support the affected communities with support going towards the provision of relief supplies such as hygiene kits, family kits and household kits for the vulnerable who are displaced by the conflict.
World Vision Singapore
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation with branches in nearly 100 countries, working with children, families and communities to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice since 1950. As part of its Ukraine Emergency Response, the organisation has dispatched people on the ground in Eastern Europe to meet the needs of families who have been forcibly displaced by the crisis. Donations made to them will be used to assist their work, including preparations needed for children and their families should they be forcibly displaced as refugees to Romania.
UNICEF Donation Drive for Ukraine's Displaced Families
UNHCR has stepped up their operations and capacity in Ukraine, responding to the dire situation of forcibly displaced families by providing emergency shelter and relief items like plastic tarpaulins for shelter, jerry cans, fleece blankets and more for regions all over the country. They also tell you how much you need to donate to provide these items, giving the option of both monthly and one-off donations to choose from.
Blue/Yellow
Blue/Yellow has been active in Ukraine since 2014, supporting the Ukrainian armed forces who fight Russian aggression along the border between the two countries. On top of military equipment, the Lithuanian organization has also contributed to taking care of wounded soldiers and humanitarian aid to children and civilians in the war zone, and has since been well-recognised for their efforts by the Ukrainian Government.
Save the Children
Focusing on the most vulnerable, the organisation works to provide children with winter kits and hygiene kits, providing cash grants to families so they can meet basic needs such as food and medicines as they flee the country. They also make sure children have the resources to overcome the mental and psychological impact of the conflict—one lasting and undeniably significant to their development.
