Ukraine: Help during the crisis

An older man sitting in a bus in eastern Ukraine

Donate for Ukraine

On the night of 24 February 2022, Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine. Rocket attacks and artillery fire are shaking the whole country, ground forces are advancing. The population fears for their lives, their safety, their future.

Help supports the people in Ukraine and refugees in Moldova. Through local partner organisations, we are currently distributing vital relief supplies, offering medical assistance and providing information on safe spaces and protective measures.

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Table of contents

What is the situation like in Ukraine?

Distribution of food parcels — Help provides food parcels, hygiene articles, water, medical supplies as well as financial and psychological assistance.

Ukraine: Divided between East and West

Three decades after the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine is facing immense challenges. The war with Russia and internal conflicts are paralysing the economic development of the Eastern European country. The population is deeply divided: One part hopes for approching NATO and the European Union, another advocates closer ties with Russia.

The tensions between East and West are mainly unleashed in the east of the country: More than 13,000 people have been killed in the fighting around Luhansk and Donetsk since the war broke out in 2014, a quarter of them civilians. More than 1.4 million Ukrainians are refugees in their own country as a result of the crisis. For many of the displaced, fleeing is tantamount to falling into poverty.

Following the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022 and the subsequent attacks, the situation in eastern Ukraine and throughout the country continues to deteriorate. In particular, the cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol and Kiev are heavily affected by the fighting. Several hundred Ukrainians have already fallen victim to the fighting, including civilians.

The number of people fleeing the violence is increasing by the hour. So far, more than 5 million people have taken refuge outside Ukraine, including many women and children. A large number of them are seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Poland, Moldova, Hungary or Romania. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), some 7.1 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced within the country. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed.

How is Help providing support in Ukraine?

Distribution of relief supplies in Zaporizhia — Displaced people in Zaporizhia are receiving hygiene articles.©Olha Opilat

Emergency aid for families in need

A humanitarian disaster is taking place in the middle of Europe. Help is standing by the people in Ukraine during this serious crisis. Through local partner organisations, we are currently distributing food parcels, water, hygiene items as well as hot meals to refugees and other people affected by the war.

In the spirit of helping people to help themselves, we are supporting families with financial aid, for example for transport or accommodation. We also offer psychological support through our partners and provide information on safe spaces, evacuation and general protection measures. In addition, we provide medical and social aid for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.

Help has been working in eastern Ukraine since 2021 to create new perspectives and better living conditions for displaced people and other disadvantaged groups and their families. Due to Russia's attacks, we are now devoting our full attention to emergency aid throughout the country.

Donors and partners: ADH (Aktion Deutschland Hilft), AA (Auswärtiges Amt), Stiftung der Deutschen Lions, NAK-karitativ, Dohle Stiftung, King Baudouin Foundation

Local Partners in Ukraine and Moldova

Facts and Figures

Figures about the Ukraine

Since the outbreak of the war, over 5 million people have left the country as refugees.
1.46 million people were registered as internally displaced before the war began, 51 per cent of them in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. (2021)
As a result of the Russian invasion, the number of IDPs increased to about 7.1 million.
Over 13,000 people have been killed in the Ukraine conflict so far. (2021)
Since February 24, 2022, 2,104 civilians have been killed and 2,862 injured.
12 million people in Ukraine are dependent on humanitarian aid. (2021)

Source: UNHCR, GCT, UNOCHA, IOM

Status: 20 April 2022

Facts about Help in Ukraine

Help is currently providing emergency aid in Ukraine through local partner organisations
We distribute food, water, hygiene articles and medical supplies
We support families with financial aid, which they can use for transport or accommodation costs
We offer medical and psychological support through our partners
We provide information on safe spaces, evacuations and general protection measures
In Moldova we provide medical and social aid for refugees

Status: 04/2022