After two months, the violence and atrocities in Ukraine are still going on. Almost 5 million of the 40 million inhabitants have fled the country. Many of our charity partners are doing whatever they can to help the victims, providing much-needed emergency aid to the people of Ukraine.

Picture: An MSF community health worker speaks with a young refugee to help process their feelings in fleeing the war. Palanca, Moldova, April 2022.

Fortunately, there are many charities working to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine and neighbouring regions. They are assisting along the border and adapting their work to bravely support those in Ukraine during this time of war. This support is creating a lifeline for Ukrainians by distributing medical supplies and food, equipment and other essential items and provide moral support.

Thanks to the unearmarked, multi-year contribution from the Postcode Lotteries our charity partners are able to provide much-needed emergency support to the people of Ukraine at this harrowing time. The Postcode Lotteries have also been able to fund some extra projects.

What kind of help do the lotteries contribute to?

• Emergency aid: Charities like Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, UNHCR , Plan International, UNICEF, Save the Children, SOS Children´s Villages and War Child provide emergency aid and emergency assistance to people displaced in Ukraine or residing in the country's border regions. In doing so, they provide humanitarian and medical assistance, mental support and food aid. They also provide information for Ukrainian refugees on asylum and medical care.

• Funding justice: To protect journalists and keep reliable information available in and around Ukraine, Free Press Unlimited launched the Media Lifeline coalition. The Media Development Investment Fund invests in independent media. Human Rights Watch works to protect civilians, uphold respect for humanitarian law and protect human rights. With over 30 years´ experience in combating human rights violations in the country, HRW is a leading voice on the crisis in Ukraine and has several employees on the ground. Amnesty International continues to document human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law.

Specific initiatives

• DOEN Foundation - The bank Pro Credit Holding is DOEN’s largest investment. The ethical bank focusses on medium size businesses in Central- and Eastern Europe; the largest bank is based in Ukraine. The bank is still operational although one-third of the staff have left the country and is working from abroad where they have fled with their families.  Good news: The bank has actively contributed in supporting the agricultural sector in Ukraine to ensure the seeding period – which is super important for the global food security – could go on.

• Mind in Sweden opens guide for people on the run together with the network Psychologists for Ukraine and their new guide for young people (15-25 years).

• Sound of Peace in Germany is a solidarity alliance of cultural workers, artists and people who want to set a sign of peace and collect donations for humanitarian aid campaigns. Last month, at the peace rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, German Postcode Lotterie’s supporter, singer Michael Patrick Kelly, handed over a cheque for 100,000 euros to the aid alliance.

• Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland: The Dutch Refugee Council plays a coordinating role in the support of civil initiatives. People who want to support refugees in the Netherlands use the platform 'The Netherlands for Refugees'.  As a guide for Ukrainian refugees, they launched the platform refugeehelp.com.