The Ukraine Crisis Explained

THE UKRAINE CRISIS EXPLAINED

LEARN ABOUT THE CURRENT CRISIS IN UKRAINE, WHO IS AFFECTED, AND KEY FACTS.

Image Credit: Pierre Crom / Stringer

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN UKRAINE?

Watch SBUSA President Kerri Murray provide a quick update on our work in Ukraine.

The world is witnessing a vast humanitarian crisis unfold. As military activities escalate in Ukraine, millions of people are on the move, desperately trying to flee to safety. Innocent civilians are being killed, families and lives are being torn apart.

Over 14 million people have since been forced to leave their homes – that’s more than a quarter of Ukraine’s entire population.

The situation is developing rapidly, and the death toll is rising. This latest escalation in military action comes after eight years of ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

ShelterBox is responding to the Ukraine crisis. Keep reading to learn more about our response and what you can do to help.

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HOW IS SHELTERBOX HELPING?

ShelterBox is responding to the Ukraine crisis.

Aid is on the way. Our team in eastern Europe is now working in Moldova while coordinating with partners in Poland and Ukraine. We are working on three projects – two within Ukraine and one to support refugees fleeing to neighboring countries like Moldova.

Our teams are working with government representatives, Rotary and other humanitarian organizations in Moldova to draw up our plans.

People waiting at the Przemysl station in Poland, eight miles from the border with Ukraine.

WHAT AID WILL WE BE DEPLOYING?

1. Working with our partner, People in Need, we’re providing thousands of mattresses for collective centers like schools and churches in Lviv, Ukraine. This will offer people somewhere to sleep and keep warm at night.

2. Together with ReliefAid, we are distributing shelter kits with tools and rope, high thermal blankets, hygiene kits, solar lights and water carriers to help people survive in buildings damaged by the conflict.

3. We’ll be supporting refugees in neighboring countries with high priority items they can carry with them, like hygiene items and cash.

Click here to learn more about our aid and how we customize it for each crisis.

Mattresses on their way to collective centers in Lviv.

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE

1. Millions of people in eastern Ukraine have been severely affected by an ongoing conflict that began in 2014 when Crimea was annexed from Ukraine.

2. Before the recent escalation in conflict, the UN estimated that 2.9 million people in Ukraine were already in need of humanitarian assistance.

3. According to the UN Refugee Agency, before the latest increase in violence, nearly 1.5 million people were internally displaced within Ukraine, with half being over the age of 60 – making it one of the ‘oldest’ crises in the world.

4. Since 2014, Ukraine has been the target of multiple cyber-attacks, some resulting in devastating power blackouts affecting thousands of people.

5. Winter temperatures fall as low as -8 °C (about 18 °F) in Ukraine, causing even more challenges for people caught up in the conflict.

We are deeply concerned for families in Ukraine fleeing their homes in below freezing temperatures. That is why we stand with the UN in calling for peace and the protection of civilians affected by the crisis in Ukraine and critical basic infrastructure and services.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Can I donate clothing and other items to Ukraine?

We’re not accepting the donation of clothing or other items for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

All the life-saving tools and equipment we provide are sourced from trusted suppliers and go through rigorous testing to ensure that they can survive in the extreme environments that we work in.

It’s also important that the aid we distribute is standardized. Doing so ensures that families receive aid of the same quality and value.

There are also many import restrictions in place that govern what we can and can’t bring into a country.

Given the scale of the situation in and around Ukraine there are many people that wish to help. There is a real concern that donated items may strain the logistical journey of tried and tested aid items.

The best way to support families right now is to make a donation to our Ukraine appeal.

What are some of the economic effects of this crisis?

Ukraine is home to some of the richest soils in Europe. It is famous for its fields of wheat, barley, oats, corn and other grains.

In fact, Russia and Ukraine export about a quarter of the world’s wheat and half of its sunflower products.

The conflict could send global food prices soaring. This is particularly concerning for some of the countries we’re working in, like Yemen and Syria who are already facing high levels of food insecurity.

Is this the start of a humanitarian crisis?

The recent escalation of conflict is increasing existing humanitarian needs in the country.

In a matter of weeks, thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed in Ukraine. Innocent civilians are being killed, families and lives are being torn apart.

Moreover, many people are fleeing their homes to seek safety, with the UN predicting as many as 12 million refugees.

The UN is also reporting that the Ukraine crisis is the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since the second World War.

ShelterBox USA President, Kerri Murray, says:

“We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of the crisis in Eastern Europe. Reports of civilians fleeing their homes on foot and by car are heart-wrenching, and the situation appears likely to get worse as military action escalates. According to the U.N., more than half a million people have fled Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country. We are closely monitoring the situation to determine if and how ShelterBox can support the emergency shelter and household needs in this fast-moving crisis.”

FAMILIES URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Help provide life-saving aid to families affected by the Ukraine crisis.

Donations to Ukraine Crisis will provide direct support to all costs associated with our response within Ukraine and neighboring countries, including but not limited to: lifesaving equipment, response teams, transportation, and collaboration with local or international partners. Any additional money raised will help in other countries where ShelterBox provides emergency shelter.

You can use our form or one of the other methods below:

DONOR-ADVISED FUND | IRA| FUNDS AND SECURITIES TRANSFER| QR CODE

PO BOX: 5055 Santa Barbara, CA 93150

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Ukraine Crisis Explained