As we watch the tragedy in Ukraine unfold before our eyes, our instinct is to ask how we can help? The answer is simply to do something, whatever and however you can. With people fleeing Ukraine in unprecedented numbers, there is so much need, both for the refugees, as well as those who chose to remain behind in Ukraine. The situation is critical and the need is both immediate and ongoing.
Giving back is essential to the nature of Primerus and its members around the world. That’s who we are and what we do. We are so proud that many of our member firms have already jumped in to help, collecting funds and essential items, helping with refugee organizations and even opening up their homes. Whatever you choose to do, we urge you to take an active role now to help in this humanitarian crisis.
Here are some ways to help. Listed below are links to a number of verified organizations that are sending aid directly to Ukraine:
- UNICEF: Sending humanitarian aid to support children and their families – www.unicef.org/ukraine/en
- Save the Children – Ukraine: Administering a children’s emergency fund to provide families with shelter and food – https://donate.savethechildren.org
- Ukrainian Red Cross: The International Committee of the Red Cross, providing emergency assistance and supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities - https://icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine
- Global Giving – Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund: Support for Ukrainians in need, with a focus on helping the most vulnerable – https://globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/
- Mercy Corps: The Mercy Corps Humanitarian Response Fund is working with local organizations in Ukraine, Poland and Romania to provide cash and emergency assistance to refugees – https://mercycorps.org/donate/crisis-ukraine-give-now
In addition, our friends at Brodermann Jahn in Hamburg have recommended two organizations based in Germany that are providing on-the-ground humanitarian assistance:
- Aktion Deutschland Hilft: a coalition of relief aid organizations that have joined to provide fast help in severe catastrophes - https://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/en/donate/donate/
- “FEINE UKRAINE”: a non-profit organization of German-Ukrainian cooperation formed to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine - https://hilfe-ua.de/en/donate-to-support-ukraine/
These are just a few of the organizations providing emergency relief. We urge you to support them or any other charity of your choice that is sending help to Ukraine. As always, of course, in order to avoid scammers, be sure to verify that the organization is legitimate and donates all proceeds to the designated cause. We suggest that you consult Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, which verifies non-profits and also lists additional organizations providing assistance to Ukraine.
Thank you for your support of the courageous people of Ukraine. Your generosity will really make a difference.