This week marks 1,000 days of war in Ukraine. The i Paper has the stories you need to read to understand how we got here, what happens next – and what you can do.
1,000 days of war, explained | Modern war evolves | Fears over Trump-Putin deal | Ways Europe could step up | Will Putin ever stop?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 prompted millions to ask what they could do to help those caught up in the crisis.
Many projects were set up to help those in need in the weeks and months that followed, with the British public donating money and essentials to emergency appeals. Many of those organisations continue to support Ukrainians – both in Ukraine and in the UK.
The Government also launched its Homes for Ukraine scheme, which enables people to take in Ukrainian refugees. The scheme is still running, with guests applying now able to stay in the UK for up to 18 months.
Here, i takes a look at some of the ways in which you can continue to support Ukraine and its citizens.
Host a Ukrainian refugee
The Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme is ongoing and allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to be matched with and host Ukrainian refugees, even if the latter have no ties to the UK.
If you already know the person you would like to help, you can sponsor their visa application provided you are a British or Irish citizen, or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Anyone hosting a guest through Homes for Ukraine is required to commit to the scheme for a minimum of six months, but is encouraged to keep up the offer for as long as they can.
As a “thank you”, sponsors receive payments of £350 per month for the first 12 months that their guest is in the UK, and £500 a month for the rest of their Homes for Ukraine visa permission stay.
Ukrainian guests can stay in the UK for up to 36 months, if they applied before 3pm on 19 February 2024, and up to 18 months, if they applied after that time.
Additional payments are available for school-aged children and those arriving under the scheme will have access to full NHS care and be entitled to work in the UK.
Donate money
Many charities now only accept financial donations – of whatever size – as the logistics of transporting physical donations slowed down their response. If you do have physical items you would like to donate, it is recommended to sell them online, or by organising a sale, and donating the proceeds.
Here is a list of organisations you can donate to to help Ukrainians affected by the war:
Disasters Emergency Committee
The Disasters Emergency Committee, a partnership of 15 charities including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children, has so far raised £438 million by the UK public, including £25 million matched by the UK Government.
More recently, funds have helped displaced children to continue their education, supplied generators during power outages, rebuilt community spaces destroyed by shelling, and provided cash payments to people in financial hardship.
The appeal will close for new donations at the end of 2024 but the funds will continue to be used to reach people affected by the conflict.
Unicef
Unicef, the United Nations humanitarian aid organisation focused on children’s welfare, is accepting donations to ensure every displaced child receives healthcare, nutrition and water.
UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has an emergency appeal to help refugees in Ukraine and other countries who have been forced to flee their homes because of the conflict.
#HelpUkraine emergency appeal
Set up by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, the appeal has raised funds to provide accredited and registered Ukrainian charities with medicine, food and vital services. Donations can also pay for blankets, hygiene packs and trauma counselling.
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross are responding to existing and emerging humanitarian needs. Your donation can help someone affected get food, water, medicine, first aid, warm clothes and shelter.
The British Red Cross says: “The level of humanitarian need in Ukraine is still staggeringly high. Conflict over the last two years has affected millions of people, claiming lives and homes. Ten million people have been displaced and many are without access to food, water and electricity.
“Recent shelling has heightened the suffering for those living amid the conflict. There is a desperate need for shelter and clothing – and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society is working around the clock to bring hope and support to all those in need.”
Voices of Children
Voices of Children helps children affected by the war in Ukraine by providing psychological and psychosocial support. Instructions on how to donate to its programmes, such as art therapy, mobile psychologists, and individual help for families, are available on its website here.
Save the Children
Save the Children has launched an emergency fund where donations will go towards essential humanitarian aid, psychological support for children, winter and hygiene kits, educational access and cash grants to families.
Razom
Razom is a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organisation. Donations to its appeal will support the delivery of essential goods, the translation of important documents and sources, the sharing of vital information, and the placement of volunteers on the ground.
Revived Soldiers of Ukraine
Revived Soldiers of Ukraine delivers humanitarian and medical aid to soldiers and their families and those affected by military conflict.
Donate clothes
Ukrainians in the UK continue to organise local collection points for items like toiletries up and down the country.
To find one near you, check your local news outlets or do a Google search.
We Recycle Clothes has partnered with the Ukrainian Red Cross to collect clothing donations. It offers a clothes collection service that is free to use and you can choose for the proceeds of your clothes to benefit the charity of your choice, including in Ukraine.
You can also donate clothes to charity shops in your area who will use the proceeds to help Ukrainians. Barnardo’s is one example – the charity uses earnings from its shops to fund a helpline for Ukrainian refugees in Britain.
This week marks 1,000 days of war in Ukraine. The i Paper has the stories you need to read to understand how we got here, what happens next – and what you can do.
How weapons have changed since Russia invaded Ukraine – and what’s coming next. From devastating anti-tank weapons to autonomous drones, the Ukraine conflict has transformed the way wars are fought. But it is also serving as a sobering warning to the West that it must prepare to fight in radically different ways. Click here to read
How a Trump-Putin peace deal is sparking fear in Kyiv. Senior Kyiv official concedes that the President-Elect could force a harsh deal to end the war as a third of Ukrainians would now accept giving up land to Russia for peace. Click here to read
The seven ways Europe could step up to help Zelensky. Europe is facing growing questions over how far it can – and will – go to help Ukraine fight back. Click here to read
1,000 days of war in Ukraine – what’s happened and where we are now. Hundreds of thousand of Russians and Ukrainians have died since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion in February. Click here to read
Putin will never stop. Because he cannot. Putin won’t stop – the West cannot ditch Ukraine now. Click here to read
