Ukraine – feeling helpless? What you can do right now.

It’s not been easy watching the news of late. Just as we started eagerly anticipating longer days, the easing of restrictions, and putting a spring in our step, the world suddenly got much darker. Many of us don’t really understand the complexities of the political situation and we’re all busy researching and reading up on how this all came to be.

What we do know is that hundreds of thousands, millions of Ukrainians, need help. So many in fact it’s easy to become overwhelmed and confused about what you can do.  Not everyone can offer everything. But we’ve always believed in the power of community at MNC and that many small actions can have a cumulative effect.  So, if you’re keen to help and need some direction, we’ve rounded up a few easy ways to help right now.

1. Disasters Emergency Committee

https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

This organisation works with many other charities on the ground where help is needed for immediate survival needs such as food, shelter and water both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries where people have fled to.

2. Check out your local town or village social media groups, community groups such as your local church and schools.

Many have organised collections. You don’t have to organise your own thing – join in with theirs. Their wish lists will vary from basic medical supplies, nappies, underwear, baby formula to winter coats, sleeping bags, non-perishable food items.

3. Do you have linguistic skills?

Translators without Borders are actively recruiting volunteers to help with language barriers https://translatorswithoutborders.org/

4. AirBnB have reportedly waived their fees for bookings for Ukraine.

This certainly seems like a novel way to get money into the hands of Airbnb hosts who cannot currently host guests in Ukraine.  Read more about it here – make sure you do your due diligence first before booking.       https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/airbnb-booking-ukraine-donate-b2030325.html

5. Pets need help too.

If you’re an animal lover then this might be for you. Paw Help UK is an organisation based in Ukraine and Poland that rehomes dogs in other parts of Europe. With so many now being abandoned as people flee they are working harder than ever. https://pawhelp.uk and you will also find them on Facebook with details of the pets they currently need to rehome

Photo by Yura Khomitskyi on Unsplash