Russian forces advance on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Residents report shelling and air raid sirens haven’t stopped screaming. Families crowd into subway stations, which have become bomb shelters.

Russian military claims they have captured the Hostomel airfield on the outskirts of Kyiv.

There are unsubstantiated reports of troops blowing up a bridge to stop the advancing Russian forces.

While the US and NATO nations consider more sanctions, here is how you can help the people of Ukraine right now. These charities were vetted by people on the ground in Ukraine.

 

 

United Help Ukraine

This nonprofit organization receives and distributes donations, food and medical supplies to “displaced Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion.”

 

Along with raising awareness of the crisis in Ukraine with the international community, the charity’s fundraising activities help wounded Ukrainian soldiers, and families of wounded and killed soldiers.

They take PayPal .

 

 

Red Cross

“Donations made to the Ukraine crisis support humanitarian work in the country.” The Red Cross is always there in emergencies and they are already helping in the country.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and Ukrainian Red Cross Society support food-producing initiatives and infrastructure repair (including water-pumping stations), as well as rebuilding damaged homes, and providing aid to hospitals, schools, mental health facilities and community centers.

Donate here.

 

 

 

Other Ukrainian charities

Razom for Ukraine and Sunflower of Peace are both recommended through a crowdsourced list of fundraisers and charities put together by Ukrainian journalists. Collected funds go toward purchasing and distributing first aid kits and medical supply packs to the doctors and volunteers who treat soldiers on the frontlines, and medical rehabilitation for those who are injured.

To help children affected by war, Voices of Children is a charitable foundation that provides psychological and psychosocial support to children, “to help them overcome the consequences of armed conflict,” per its website.

Donations, which can be made with a credit card or Google Pay account, go toward art therapy, psychologists to help children in boarding schools, family therapy, and more.

Please donate if you can.

To help the animals in the country, who are often left behind in wartime or put in shelters, here are a few established charities.

 

IFAW

From their website right now:

We are preparing to rush emergency aid to our local animal shelter partners in Donetsk and Gorlovka, who report a very dire situation for their staff, volunteers and the 1,100 dogs in their care. In Gorlovka, staff are not allowed to cook hot food for dogs in care because the fire could draw unnecessary attention to the shelter. They desperately need to buy dry dog food.

Help them buy enough dry food to feed the animals. They take PayPal.

 

 

 

SPCA Kyiv

The local chapter is helping displaced animals and need money to feed all the additional critters. One step PayPal checkout.