Kansas City, MO – More than a month has passed since Russia began its war against neighboring Ukraine. Russian forces continue to rain bombs and missiles on civilian centers and Ukraine has launched offensive operations in recent days.
Millions have fled their homes. The office of Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has launched a humanitarian web portal to help guide donations of money and materiel to those who need it. Be sure to click the "En" in the upper right corner to read the page in English, if it reverts back to Ukrainian.
The help.gov.ua/en website spells out where aid is needed, how it is being used, and provides a detailed dive into where aid is being distributed via maps and charts. The page also provides links to donating to help the Ukraine military and how to donate using cryptocurrencies. And provides information for Ukrainians seeking shelter, and for those wishing to provide it.
Russia sent an invasion force across the Ukraine border on multiple fronts on February 24th. Its goal was to quickly take over the country, according to multiple US and western military experts. That plan quickly evaporated after numerous logistical issues, and after meeting a fierce and well-trained Ukraine military.
A large number of nonprofits and charitable organizations in the US and Europe ramped up efforts to provide aid and assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the invasion, and to those who stay behind to fight for their home.
In the hours after the attack, the slow drip of Ukrainians fleeing their homeland turned into a torrent. They filled trains and buses. Their cars clogged the roads. The violence shocked Ukraine, as the first civilian buildings were destroyed by Russian attacks.
So far, more than three million Ukrainians have fled to refuge in neighboring countries, the majority heading into Poland.