Nonprofits answer Ukraine’s call for aid

On February 24, 2022, humanity awoke to an uncertain world: Russia had invaded the sovereign nation of Ukraine. It feels like just yesterday the biggest concern for many Westerners was worrying about which country would dominate in the Olympics—not in military conflict. Despite Russia’s swift attack on the country in the hope of an easy victory, Ukraine has not gone easily into the night.

With an urgent appeal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested world leaders aid in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces. Many nations, including the United States, have answered the call with economic sanctions designed to damage Russia’s war chest and put pressure on Russian leadership. While these measures will likely have effect over time, many nonprofit organizations mobilized their own “troops” to provide rapid humanitarian assistance.

WORLD RELIEF ASSISTS UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

With the wail of aid raid sirens as a soundtrack, thousands of Ukrainian women and children rushed to pack up their lives and flee their homes, leaving behind fathers, husbands, and brothers to fight the Russian army. However, these refugees have not been abandoned as the nonprofit organization, World Relief been actively working to provide aid to the Ukrainian people.

With a mission to provide sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems—including mass displacement—by partnering with local churches and community leaders in the US and abroad, World Relief is in a prime position to help Ukrainian people. Since 2004, their record of success shows as World Relief has already resettled over 13,000 refugees from Ukraine with 3,000 settling in Sacramento alone over the last eight years. They are now increasing efforts in preparation of resettling more Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to flee and are supporting Ukrainians already in the United States who are desperately seeking help for their families facing the horror of war.

SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION RALLIES SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIANS LIVING IN THE WARZONE

Mere weeks ago, men and women across the Ukraine carried out their typical daily routines, but today many of these citizens are bravely fighting against Russia’s invasion after answering their country’s call for defense. Meanwhile, the elderly and children who could not flee to neighboring countries have been forced seek refuge in bomb shelters and underground subway stations as Russian planes drop bombs from overhead.

To support these Ukrainians, the Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) has updated their website homepage asking individuals to help in two ways: Prayer and Donation. You can join the Crisis Prayer Team to be notified with daily updates and prayer requests of pastors, families, the elderly, and children who are suffering through this horror. You will notice on their site an “Urgent Prayer Needs” banner which lists specific requests and keeps Ukrainians connected with the outside world. One soldier, speaking to a believer, says, “We feel your prayerful support. Sometimes something really incomprehensible happens, as if someone’s invisible hand is really taking bullets and shells from us, and they fly past us . . . Please do not stop, support us and continue to pray. We really need you.” To serve the Ukrainian people you can also donate. The SGA lists three suggested amounts on their site and states what they will be used for. For example, by donating $75.00 you would provide food for five families.

A NONPROFIT WAR CHEST: ATLAS NETWORK’S FREEDOM FUND

While world leaders increased pressure on Russia using economic sanctions, the Atlas Network seeks to help Ukrainians struggling during this time and has setup its own war chest of a sort: the Ukraine Freedom Fund. With an aim to keep freedom alive in Ukraine, this fund is designed to support independent liberty-minded organizations mobilizing to meet the needs of the Ukrainian people during this time. The Atlas Network webpage also details how by donating to this fund, supporters allow these organizations to go on the offense by bringing the ideals of democracy and a bright beacon of freedom to a war-torn nation.  The Atlas Foundation is presently matching donations dollar-for-dollar and at the time of this article has raised $196,431.00.

NONPROFITS LEADING THE CHARGE

In the face of this new—and sudden—crisis, nonprofits are again rising to the challenge, quickly and nimbly meeting the needs of suffering families all around the world.

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