3 Meaningful Ways You Can Support Ukraine Right Now

How to Help Those Affected by the Russian Invasion

Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Europe. At the time of this blog’s publication, the conflict continues across the country with significant civilian casualties.

Here are a few ways you can support Ukraine today:

Donate Money

Monetary donations to organization’s on the front lines are one of the fastest ways to support Ukrainians in need. You can read more about each of the charities below at Charity Navigator, which rates organizations based on financial and transparency metrics. Here are a few links to reputable organizations currently supporting local efforts:

UNICEF: The United Nations Children’s Fund has been active in Ukraine since 2014 “...safeguarding children's rights to safety, health, education, psychosocial support, protection and water and sanitation services.”

Save the Children: This organization’s Ukraine response includes providing “...children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and cash assistance.”

International Rescue Committee: Donations to this organization’s current campaign will support “...food, medical care and emergency support services to refugee families in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen.”

Doctors Without Borders: Also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), donations to MSF will support emergency medical assistance to those in need.

World Central Kitchen: Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés in 2010, WCK provides meals to individuals and families displaced by natural disasters or conflict.

International Red Cross: This worldwide humanitarian relief organization is the oldest listed here, founded shortly after World War I. Donations will support the provision of shelter and medical supplies.

If you’re interested in providing funds that will directly support Ukraine’s military efforts, you can donate multiple currency types to a fund established by the National Bank of Ukraine. Donations can be made via a credit card or wire transfer (details here).

Stay informed…

“Truth is the first casualty in war.”

-Ethel Annakin

The invasion has been associated with an overwhelming amount of disinformation, much of it originating from Russian government affiliated agents. False or misleading information is pervading Russian influenced news outlets, Twitter, Tik Tok, and other social media platforms.

You can do your part by understanding the Russian information operations campaign on their influenced news channels (e.g. RT and Sputnik radio), unfollowing social media accounts spreading false information, and reporting obvious misinformation. Twitter, for example, has a “report Tweet” function you can use to flag dubious content.

Minimize energy use and divest from investments with Russia exposure…

Rising prices at the gas pump across the country demonstrate the impact of the conflict on the global energy supply. While some are using this as an opportunity to advocate for a shift toward renewable energy, others are pushing for more domestic exploitation of non-renewable resources.

Save Money by Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Doing good for the environment can be a win-win

NOTE on last point below: Citizen Upgrade is not a registered investment, legal or tax advisor, or a broker/dealer. All investment/financial opinions expressed by Citizen Upgrade are from the personal research and experience of the author and are intended as educational material for informational purposes only.

You can also divest of investments with Russia exposure. In anycase, conservation of personal and household energy use is a good idea. You can postpone any long road trips planned, continue to telework, and minimize household energy use:

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