Jennifer Liu Featured

What You Can Do Right Now To Support Ukraine

Originally posted February, 25, 2022
Updated March 4, 2022

It’s been a really stressful time and we’re now at day 9 since this conflict began. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by events in the world, I’m driven to do something with those feelings. Here’s my small contribution, compiled with the help of my Ukrainian friends and family. I will continue to update as I get more information and resources. #StandWith Ukraine #HelpUkraineNow #SupportUkraine

Emotional support to your Ukrainian friends

Your Ukrainian friends are glued to the news 24/7 and are constantly checking in with their friends and family in Ukraine, so if applicable to your relationship with them, maybe you can ask if they need meals or to do their dishes, help with errands, etc. It’s possible they haven’t been sleeping or eating well.

Also don’t expect them to tell you how they’re doing. Instead of asking “how are feeling” or “are you okay”, consider just telling them you’re here for them, you care about them / love them, and that you’re thinking of them. It’s so difficult being asked by dozens of people (some who are literally strangers) how you are doing or feeling when you’re in the midst of a crisis. It’s unfathomable what is happening in Ukraine and we have no idea how this will end.

How does one even respond to that question anyway? Sure, maybe our family is still alive but none of us are OK. It might be a reflex to ask out of habit, but maybe don’t. They are not okay, and there’s really no need to ask them since you already know the answer.

Write to your elected officials

Email or call your elected officials telling them that this issue is important to you. This could be your governor, your Congress representative(s), and/or your senator(s). A tool to find your representatives here.

Here is a generic sample letter that you can personalize with your own edits. Here is another sample letter. Consider including these points:

  • Cut off Russia from using SWIFT (the international banking system)
  • Block Russian financial institutions from processing payments through the US financial system
  • Support supplying Ukrainian defense forces with lethal and non-lethal equipment (critically and immediately needing anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons)
  • Support humanitarian aid to Ukraine
  • Support further sanctions on Russians responsible for the attack on Ukraine
  • Ask that they pressure bordering countries, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Hungary, and Moldova to take all peoples crossing, regardless of citizenship status or race

Attend a rally

Ukrainian March and Rally In Seattle Against Russian War on Saturday, March 5th. Starting at 2:00 pm from Seattle City Hall to Mural Amphitheatre. Link to the Facebook event here.

#StandWithUkraine in Seattle – STOP WAR at Seattle Central College on Saturday, March 12th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Link to the Facebook event here.

Find all the rallies happening in the U.S. here.

Verified Sources of Information

Read and share only verified information about Russia’s attack on Ukraine:

President of Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Ukraine’s official social media accounts Facebook

Independent Ukrainian news media: https://kyivindependent.com/

If you do not want to support the army’s efforts to defend itself, all of these organizations will also be helping to rebuild Ukraine after this is over. Infrastructure is being destroyed, there will be who knows how many injured people, people are being displaced…

Nova Ukraine is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about Ukraine in the U.S. and throughout the world and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. They work closely with non-profits and volunteers focused on helping Ukraine.

Donate to Nova Ukraine here.

Support Hospitals in Ukraine with Project C.U.R.E. They are raising $500,000 to send twenty 40-foot containers to Ukrainian hospitals in Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities.

Donate to this project here.

Come Back Alive is a Ukrainian foundation that supports the Ukrainian army and the veterans who come back from serving, providing resources including physical therapy, starting businesses, and more. They also procure and provide supplies that the army is missing, for instance bullet-proof vests and night vision technology.

Many of you may not be aware that the armed conflict has been ongoing for over 8 years.
You can read more about Russian soldiers’ role in the occupation of Crimea in 2014 and the conflict in Donbas that has been ongoing ever since here.

Donate to Save Life here. It’s a Ukrainian-based site, so it’s not the easiest to navigate, but you can also try this like to get to the donation page.

Razom is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Ukrainian Americans working on short and long term projects, collaborating on existing projects with partner organizations, all with the goal of helping Ukraine stay on the path of fostering democracy and prosperity. 

Donate to Razom’s emergency response fund here.