Australians have delved into their pockets and offered a huge amount of financial support to the millions of people affected by the war in Ukraine. With over $4 million raised by the Emergency Action Alliance, and a total of over $28 million across our member organisations, many teams on the ground in Ukraine have been able to provide urgent lifesaving support.

Despite the incredible response from the Australian public, emergency appeals can sometimes lead to uncertainty about where the money is going or how donations will make a difference. However, as cliche as it sounds, every dollar counts in these situations and can do the world of good for those in need of assistance and support. There are a number of teams on the ground in and around Ukraine that are ready to access and use funding as soon as it is provided.

There are many ways that this funding is then used to help people in Ukraine, with the following three being some of the most utilised support:

#1 Supporting the Teams That are Delivering Essentials to Ukrainians

Many of our 15 member organisations, such as the Australian Lutheran World Service and Anglican Overseas Aid, have teams or partners on the ground in Ukraine that are working tirelessly to provide those living through conflict with the essentials. From being able to offer different types of food items to a range of non-food items such as medicine, toothpaste and sanitary packages, these teams are supported by funding that is only made possible through donations. The funding, when granted, goes towards ensuring these teams are in the best possible position to respond, as well as the supplies themselves.

#2 Financing Psychological Support for Those Requiring Counselling

Not only is it important for people to be able to access essential supplies and resources when in need, but psychological support for those struggling with their mental health is also an important stream. This support is particularly crucial for those experiencing conflict. Some of our member organisations, including Caritas Australia and Plan International, are offering this support to those in Ukraine. Donations allow us to grant funding that helps put psychologists and counsellors on the ground in and around Ukraine in order to offer this support.

Accessing psychologists and counsellors helps those in need to navigate situations as best they can, verbalise their emotions and feelings, develop strategies to help with resilience, manage stress and more.

#3 Ensuring That Fleeing Ukrainians Can Access Shelter

With many Ukrainians fleeing their home as a result of the conflict, the need for emergency shelter is crucial. Many hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been able to access shelter, along with resources that help make for a more comfortable sleep such as pillows, blankets and mattresses, thanks to the support of donations.

Those who have decided to flee are often faced with the dilemma of having to decide which items to leave behind and which items to take. For those who have left or forgotten the basics required in order to be able to sleep comfortably, emergency shelters can provide what they need. Without donations, teams on the ground would not be able to provide this support.

Make a Difference to Lives in Ukraine

There are many more ways your donation can help people in Ukraine. Donations to the Emergency Action Alliance are distributed to partner charities who submit a request for funding and are considered to be in the best position possible to make a quick and meaningful impact. This means that donations could go to supporting any of these three support streams if granted, or something completely different such as medical assistance or emergency care.

If you’d like to donate to our member organisations’ Ukraine Emergency Appeal online, you’ll join thousands of Australians who have contributed over $2 million worth of support in total. If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, give us a call on 1300 939 000 or send an email to info@emergencyaction.org.au.