My world was brought to a standstill as news broke on Feb. 24 that Russia had invaded Ukraine. I have been almost glued to my phone, checking news reports and Twitter for updates. The images and video that has emerged has been difficult to watch, but it feels important to me to watch it. To be aware of what is happening and to bear witness to these events.

Already the world has seen truly inspiring people rising up with courage to defend one of the biggest assaults of one European country against another since the Second World War.

I can't imagine what the people of Ukraine are going through.

I feel frustrated that I am not able to help. How can I watch this beautiful country get attacked? What can I do from my safe first world life to help? I am tired of being constantly reminded that world is a scary place to live. This feeling has led me to research, something I am priviledged enough to do, ways in which we can help and show support to Ukraine as this war rages on.

In my opinion the world must stand with the people of Ukraine. That means both financial and humanitarian assistance should be available to everybody who is impacted by this catastrophe. If you share this feeling and you’d like to show support for those affected in Ukraine, below are some of the ways you can help.

Stay Informed

Here are a few trustworthy sources you can refer to:

The Kyiv Independent is Ukraine’s English-language media outlet, created by journalists who were fired from the Kyiv Post for defending editorial independence.

This list is written by the Kyiv Independent journalists.

Charities that help the war effort

• Save Life: This NGO crowdfunds non-lethal military equipment, such as thermal vision scopes & supplies it to the Donbas front lines. It also provides training for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as researching troops’ needs and social reintegration of veterans.
• Donbas SOS: This organization helps those who live in the Donbas war zone, those who relocated to other parts of Ukraine, and freed prisoners of war. It offers legal support, accommodation assistance, and psychological aid among other things.
• Crimea SOS: This organization has been helping internally displaced people from Crimea since Russia occupied the peninsula in 2014. It documents Russian authorities' repressions against Crimeans and advocates for the end of the occupation.
• Hospitallers : This is a medical battalion that unites volunteer paramedics and doctors to save the lives of soldiers on the frontline. They crowdfund their vehicle repairs, fuel, and medical equipment.

Olga Tokariuk is an independent journalist, trying to spread the news from Ukraine across the world in these difficult times, via Twitter.

Josh Marshall is an American journalist and blogger who founded Talking Points Memo, which in 2004 The New York Times Magazine called "one of the most popular and most respected sites" in the blogosphere.

Global leaders have taken to Twitter to share updates and responses to the situation as well. Some people to consider checking are:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba
• US President Joe Biden
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken
• UN Secretary General António Guterres
• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Donations

Charities that help children

• Tabletochki: This foundation has been supporting children with cancer for 10 years. They procure medicines, equipment, and arrange overseas treatment, among other things.
• ChildrenWeWillMakeIt: This movement grew out of a campaign that raised $2 million to get the world's most expensive medicine for a Ukrainian boy with spinal muscular atrophy. It now fundraises for the treatment of other Ukrainian children with SMA.
• Ruka ob Ruku: This is a running club for children with disabilities. The initiative gives children an opportunity to train and take part in races together with their parents and volunteers.

Charities for the elderly

• Happy Old: This charity provides older people across Ukraine with groceries and medicine, holds educational, entertainment, and sports events, as well as helps with employment. They even created a modeling agency for the elderly.
• Let's Help: This charity cares for older people living alone and helps state retirement homes. They also advocate for better treatment of older people by the state, including providing people aged 60+ with easy access to education.
• Starenki: It’s a charitable initiative devoted to issues of old age in Ukraine. They help lonely seniors by providing them with groceries and hygiene products.

Charities that help women

• Women Perspectives: This organization has been helping women who have faced domestic violence, discrimination in the labor market, and other issues. The NGO works with local and state authorities to promote pro-equality gender policies in Ukraine.
• Marsh Zhinok (Women’s March): Every year, on March 8, this initiative holds a rally promoting gender equality and the protection of women from gender-based violence. Currently, the organization is petitioning for Ukraine to adopt the Istanbul Convention.

Charities for blood donation

• Blood Agents: It is an NGO that promotes regular, conscious and gratuitous blood donations. They have encouraged people to donate blood over 5,000 times over the past six years.
• Donor UA: It is an automated system for recruiting and managing blood donors, designed to promote the donor movement in Ukraine. You can help by signing up and donating blood or by supporting the project with money donation.