A very incomplete list of grassroots organisations & volunteers helping on the ground right now. No matter how challenging the situation in Europe is at the moment, the situation in Ukraine is worse.
first I have to make a confession. I haven't been able to read your reports since around Christmas. I just didn't have the strength to bear the pain that reading caused.
Not only the suffering of the Ukrainians, inside and outside their country, gave me sleepless nights.
I'm also still fighting as a climate activist (so to speak). And also in climate policy I'm starting to despair completely. Greed and stupidity, the failure in Austria AND worldwide, .... The future of humanity is in question.
Somehow everything became too much for me.
I read your report yesterday. It hit my "problem" exactly. I ALWAYS wondered how to help people IN Ukraine.
Since summer of 2022, I've been donating a little monthly here https://wck.org/story, with the note "For UKRAINE".
Now your article came, and yesterday I registered here https://social.edopomoga.gov.ua/de/ and donated to maintain the platform (basis!) and to a mother of three children the medicines needed.
It was super easy; well, you have to read a bit - and only at the end did I see that you can also set "German" (top right).
Since I don't use paypal and the like, I was very happy to be able to process it with my credit card. (They also use the secured paths there; great)
In general, I find the idea and the implementation (the website) and the underlying IT (the entire handling process!) sensationally well thought out and simple.
Austria and Germany can only be ashamed about their internet presence. - What can we do at all? :-((
The fundamental problem remains, of course: so many people need help IN Austria, IN the UKRAINE and WORLDWIDE that it is difficult to decide where to start. But you have to make a decision. Always hoping that you won't be the only one.
Yes! The Edopomoga website is amazing, isn't it? Ukraine is much more digital-savvy than most of the EU. I also completely forgot to add World Central Kitchen to my list, as I forgot to add Cash for Refugees. But both organizations are hopefully known already by many people. I understand that donating is an emotional endeavour, and everyone must find a cause that they feel passionate about. This was a starting point, but I will perhaps also publish updates (am still being sent new links and suggestions -- Ukraine is filled with tiny micro volunteer organizations across the country).
I can truly understand your pain and frustration. Feel free to reach out to me (@chrisjamesnyu on Twitter); personally, I find talking about my issues and supporting Tanja and @MriyaAid has helped me cope slightly.
Additionally, if you Twitter, you can listen 24/7/365 to caring and Ukraine supportive individuals @MriyaReport which has been going since 23 February 2022. I wish you all the best; glad to have read your post. Please try to stay positive.
Dear Tanja,
first I have to make a confession. I haven't been able to read your reports since around Christmas. I just didn't have the strength to bear the pain that reading caused.
Not only the suffering of the Ukrainians, inside and outside their country, gave me sleepless nights.
I'm also still fighting as a climate activist (so to speak). And also in climate policy I'm starting to despair completely. Greed and stupidity, the failure in Austria AND worldwide, .... The future of humanity is in question.
Somehow everything became too much for me.
I read your report yesterday. It hit my "problem" exactly. I ALWAYS wondered how to help people IN Ukraine.
Since summer of 2022, I've been donating a little monthly here https://wck.org/story, with the note "For UKRAINE".
Now your article came, and yesterday I registered here https://social.edopomoga.gov.ua/de/ and donated to maintain the platform (basis!) and to a mother of three children the medicines needed.
It was super easy; well, you have to read a bit - and only at the end did I see that you can also set "German" (top right).
Since I don't use paypal and the like, I was very happy to be able to process it with my credit card. (They also use the secured paths there; great)
In general, I find the idea and the implementation (the website) and the underlying IT (the entire handling process!) sensationally well thought out and simple.
Austria and Germany can only be ashamed about their internet presence. - What can we do at all? :-((
The fundamental problem remains, of course: so many people need help IN Austria, IN the UKRAINE and WORLDWIDE that it is difficult to decide where to start. But you have to make a decision. Always hoping that you won't be the only one.
I wish you, dear Tanja, a lot of donors for https://cards-for-ukraine.at/donate. That too is so important.
I hug you in admiration and wish you continued strength AND many fellow campaigners.
yours sincerely Regina
Yes! The Edopomoga website is amazing, isn't it? Ukraine is much more digital-savvy than most of the EU. I also completely forgot to add World Central Kitchen to my list, as I forgot to add Cash for Refugees. But both organizations are hopefully known already by many people. I understand that donating is an emotional endeavour, and everyone must find a cause that they feel passionate about. This was a starting point, but I will perhaps also publish updates (am still being sent new links and suggestions -- Ukraine is filled with tiny micro volunteer organizations across the country).
Stay strong, Regina.
I can truly understand your pain and frustration. Feel free to reach out to me (@chrisjamesnyu on Twitter); personally, I find talking about my issues and supporting Tanja and @MriyaAid has helped me cope slightly.
Additionally, if you Twitter, you can listen 24/7/365 to caring and Ukraine supportive individuals @MriyaReport which has been going since 23 February 2022. I wish you all the best; glad to have read your post. Please try to stay positive.
Hugs from NYC.
--christopher
Thank you, Christopher, for your kind reply.
I'm no more at Twitter. And yes, I try my best to stay positive.
Best regards, Regina