Helping Ukraine

Faced with the unfolding crisis in the Ukraine, churches across Ireland are united in prayer. Many Christians also want to help practically. Most agencies agree that in times of crisis the best way to support those in need is to give financially to trusted charity partners already working in the affected area or with specialist expertise.

Here VOX brings you a round up of some of the Christian charities that are supporting relief efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding countries with direct links to their donate pages. We are updating this page as we receive new information.

Team Hope

At Team Hope, we have close friends in Ukraine, (who this year alone, distributed over 34,000 Christmas Shoeboxes from Ireland!) We are receiving updates from them by text every day and exploring the best ways to help as the situation continues to unfold. We are currently assisting our partners in neighbouring countries to provide shelter, hygiene kits, food and psychosocial support to those who have crossed the border to escape the war. As we hear news from our friends in Ukraine we will continue to share their updates on our social media channels.

Team Hope is a Registered Charity No. 20047627

Tearfund Ireland

Tearfund Ireland has always had a priority to focus our work where the need is greatest for the most marginalised and vulnerable. This priority has meant that most of our programmatic and humanitarian work has been directed outside the borders of Europe. But the recent events in Ukraine are causing a humanitarian crisis involving millions of people. Tearfund Ireland is responding to this need.

We have a partner based in Slovakia who has been actively supporting thousands of people fleeing their homes. Through this partner we can assist with food, shelter and basic essentials.

Tearfund Ireland is part of the Irish Emergency Alliance (IEA). In the coming days, the IEA will be launching an appeal and this will be another avenue through which you can donate.

Tearfund Ireland is a Registered Charity: CRA 20021337

Christian Aid

Over half a million people have fled their homes to escape conflict in Ukraine. Leaving behind jobs, belongings and loved ones, they need shelter, food and water. Christian Aid will be working with partner organisations in the ACT Alliance (a global faith-based coalition), to offer assistance to Ukrainians fleeing deadly violence. An ACT partner has distributed 28 tonnes of food supplies and other lifesaving essentials to people on the Ukrainian borders.

Christian Aid is a registered charity - ROI charity no. 20014162 / NI charity no. NIC101631

International Justice Mission

Hundreds of thousands of people are being forced to flee their homes in Ukraine as a result of devastating war. Many are women and children who have left homes and loved ones behind and now, on top of this trauma, they face risks of trafficking and violence. IJM teams are at the border now working tirelessly at the Ukrainian-Romanian border to provide vital support to refugees and prevent trafficking. One of our staff who is there in person explained the urgent crisis: "Everyone has access to refugees coming through the border on foot - hundreds of people are coming in every hour - and while many local people are offering genuine help, not everyone is necessarily there to be kind, there are risks of exploiters taking advantage of tired and vulnerable women and children. We need to act now."

By identifying vulnerabilities and partnering with local NGOs to provide safe transport, training agencies in how to identify trafficking, and partnering with authorities to put advice on how to stay safe into passports, IJM is working to prevent trafficking. We are also supporting partners to provide essential food, supplies, sim cards and trauma informed care to people who have fled, leaving everything behind.

The Bishops’ Appeal

The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, which is the Church's World Aid and Development programme, has launched an Appeal for the plight of those fleeing the Ukraine. €10,000 (£8,300) has already been released and parishes across the island are encouraged to contribute more.

Bishops' Appeal is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Ireland and Christian Aid Ireland to channel funds to where they are needed most.  Habitat in Romania has already provided additional heat for a camp – there was more snow at the weekend and people were cold.  More broadly their focus is on supporting the shelter needs of refugees, ensuring that more people can feel safe. 

Christian Aid is collaborating with sister agencies in the ACT Alliance.  This network of development agencies includes the Lutheran World Federation and Hungarian Church Aid which are both working on the ground in neighbouring countries.