Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona via Unsplash
What is happening in Ukraine?
On February 24, 2022, the world held its breath as the Russian military was deployed into its neighboring country, Ukraine. Almost two weeks later, the conflict has amassed a death toll of over 364 Ukrainian civilians, while another 1.7 million others have fled across borders seeking refuge in Moldova, Poland, and other nations. Mass destruction of infrastructure has led to broken roads and a scarcity of water and electricity in certain regions of Ukraine.
Though this outbreak of fighting is only one piece in the complicated history between Russia and Ukraine, it is a major escalation of the conflict and the largest conventional military attack in Europe since World War II.
Both countries formerly encompassed by the Soviet Union, Ukraine established itself as an independent country in 1991, following the Soviet Union’s dissolution. But in blatant refusal to acknowledge this sovereignty, Russia has steadily been encroaching on Ukraine for over a decade. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula, initiating fighting in the area that continues today. Due to this, 3,000 civilians have been killed over the course of eight years, and 850,000 have been displaced from their homes.
The most recent outbreak of fighting followed Ukraine’s strengthening ties to the United States and the European Union through the trade alliance NATO, which was seen by Russia as an economic and geographic threat.
The war is especially detrimental to women and children, who make up the majority of the refugees who have fled Ukraine. Due to the crippled healthcare system, women in Ukraine are unable to get adequate medical care services, such as access to doctors, medicine, and technology. Childbirth, for example, could soon be a life-threatening experience. Currently, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is calling for world leaders and donors to better provide humanitarian aid to women in Ukraine.
Ways to get involved
Understanding the conflict and staying informed about it is the first step to change, however, there are many easy and impactful ways to get involved further. Here are a few:
1. Make a donation to an organization that is working to support the Ukrainian people:
Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
MSF is working with local volunteers, organizations, health care professionals, and authorities to help people travel to health care facilities and access prescribed medications.
Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights
Urgent Action Fund is a global women’s fund that is currently raising funds to support women, transgender, and nonbinary activists in Ukraine.
This Ukraine-based organization is providing psychological support to children through art therapy and storytelling. Voice of Children also provides financial support to families in need due to the effects of war.
Save the Children is delivering life-saving aid, such as water, food, hygiene kits, and cash assistance, to vulnerable children in Ukraine.
UNICEF supports health, nutrition, education, safe drinking water, sanitation, and HIV prevention for children and families in Ukraine.
International Committee of the Red Cross
This Switzerland-based organization is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross to help those affected by the conflict.
UNHCR is providing emergency assistance to families in Ukraine, providing humanitarian assistance where it is necessary.
International Rescue Committee
The IRC is providing food, medical care, emergency, and support services to refugee families from Ukraine.
2. Support uncensored journalism in Russia.
Under Putin’s regime, the media outlets in Russia have censored their coverage of the war in Ukraine, going so far as to completely block out its reporting. You can give to uncensored media organizations such as Meduza and OVD Info.
3. Write to your congressional representative.
In retaliation, the United States and European Union have imposed economic sanctions on Russia, cutting off Russia’s largest banks from the US financial system and implementing export controls on certain technologies. Write to your representative to show your support of these sanctions in defense of the Ukrainian people.
