Three Ways to Help Ukrainian Refugees

Pick One of These to Make a Difference Today

Due to the urgency of this message, I’m sending Wednesday’s newsletter post on Monday.

About 3 million people have been displaced by Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine. There are lots of ways you can help Ukrainian refugees right now—this minute.

Here are three organizations you can donate to instantly. I made donations to each to test the process for you. Pick one you like or find another.

1. International Rescue Committee: Created at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is the primary non-governmental organization (NGO) working to provide emergency and long-term support for displaced people now numbering almost 100 million around the world. The IRC is on the ground in Poland supporting the flood of Ukrainian refugees today.

2. Rotary International: Rotary may not be your first thought when it comes to humanitarian relief (though perhaps it should be), Rotary is in a fairly unique position. Before the war, Rotary had 1,100 members in Ukraine. The vast majority are still there and the clubs are functioning to organize community support. Rotary is also organizing support via its membership in other European countries, including Poland. Aid given to Rotary will be leveraged by volunteers doing some of the work and some of the aid will get inside Ukraine where it may be needed most.

3. Ukraine Red Cross: The advantage of giving to the Ukraine Red Cross directly is that the money lands immediately in Ukraine where it can be used to support displaced people who haven’t yet made it to Poland or other European countries. My experience donating wasn’t too tricky, but the final settlement screen displayed familiar logos but was otherwise in Ukrainian. With a second attempt, I was able to make a donation with my Visa card; my AmEx card was not accepted.

There is an infinite list of problems around the world. You are likely focused on addressing one or more of them already. The crisis in Ukraine begs us to pause for a moment to find a way to offer support now.

In the longer run, we’ll likely have more opportunities to help, especially when refugees begin arriving in the United States. Most of us will find ways that align well with our ongoing impact efforts to support refugees in the long term, too. For now, I invite you to pick one of these or find another way to support Ukraine today.