The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine has shocked us all to the core. It's hard not to feel completely helpless sat here in the UK, watching and reading the news for updates. There must be something we can do to help.
Thinking about what I can do to help opens up many questions: What should I donate? Can I volunteer to help sort through donations? How can I donate money and which charities should I use to ensure the cash goes to the people who need it? How can I help refugees when they arrive in the UK?
Like many of you I want to help, so where should we start?
A van full of donated items
The types of items requested for donations include bedding, blankets, batteries, sleeping bags, candles, matches, torches, first aid kits, shoes, nappies, baby wipes, new and nearly new baby clothes, thermal clothing, bandages, paracetamol, toiletries and pet food.
Other items to consider donating are dry foods like rice and pasta, hot water bottles, flasks, sanitary towels/tampons and protein bars. Donation centres are also looking for cardboard boxes, pallets and wrapping materials to help load your donations safely onto a HGV for transportation to Ukraine.
Most organisers are asking you to mark in advance what is in the bags you take to the donation centres to save them time in sorting them.
Donation centres also welcome volunteers to help them sort the donations they receive.
The best source of information for this is local news websites, local radio, local government sites, social media and local community centres/churches. A quick Google search should point you in the right direction. Many local councils are coordinating collections in their area, so you can always give them a call and ask for their help.
The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella group for 15 of the UK's leading aid charities. They are running a Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and the UK government has pledged to add extra funding up to £20m. You can donate to them
here.
The UN has created a Ukraine Humanitarian Fund page. They say your donation will: "...assist the most vulnerable communities and people, and to provide them with urgently needed food, water, shelter and other basic support." You can donate
here.
The
British Red Cross and
Save The Children are both running separate appeals.
The national website of Ukraine is accepting donations and provides information on other ways to support them, including a media pack, hosting refugees and up to date news. You can view that page
here.
Michael Gove, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, has announced a new humanitarian route for Ukrainians to come to the UK. According to the
mirror.co.uk:
"The Homes for Ukraine scheme, to be rolled out this week, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people fleeing the war to safety - even if they have no ties to the UK.
Sponsors can nominate a named Ukrainian individual or family to stay with them in their home, or offer a separate property for them to use rent-free."
Britons who welcome refugees will receive a 'thank you' payment of £350 per month. It is not yet clear exactly how this scheme will work, but I am sure it will get people talking and seriously considering welcoming refugees into their homes.
UK charity Refugee Action welcomes volunteers to help with refugees all year round. You can sign up for 'volunteer alerts' on their website
here.
