Category: Humanitarian/Medical

It has been two months since Russia launched a full-out invasion of Ukraine, bombing Ukrainian cities and towns, targeting civilians and committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on a massive scale.

Earlier this week, Canada’s House of Commons unanimously recognized Russia’s actions acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people

The Ukrainian people are heroically defending their homeland from Russia’s war, but the humanitarian situation is critical and the needs immense. Thanks to your generous support and commitment the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal is able to deliver aid and assistance– both in Ukraine and to Ukrainians who have sought refuge in bordering countries.

The Appeal has delivered millions of dollars in crucial aid that is helping people survive through partnerships and cooperation with more than a dozen organizations.

One such organization is the Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA).The UDA has been a partner of CUF since mid 2021 and up until February 24 they were helping identify land mines for safe removal so that farmers might once again safely work their fields to provide food and a livelihood. The UDA’s adaptability in changing their scope to now deliver humanitarian aid demonstrates the value of CUF’s strong and dynamic working relationships with its partners on the ground who are able to respond quickly to the changing needs.

The Ukrainian Deminers Association is providing assistance to war-affected people in the oblasts of Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv oblasts. As of two weeks ago, thanks to support provided by the CUF, over 1300 people have been provided with assistance – food, medicine, hygiene products, building materials and money of up to UAH 1,500 per person. The UDA stated, “We continue working for the sake of Ukrainians and our victory! We truly thank our Ukrainian Canadians and concerned Canadian citizens!”

Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is working with Ukrainian government ministries, who are in the best position to advise on the needs on the ground so that we can ensure that the donations we receive meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. The appeal will work with established partners on the ground who have demonstrated the ability to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner. The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Committee is established jointly by the two organizations to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The committee will work with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis.

Since Russia launched a full-out war on Ukraine on February 24, aid has been delivered to some of the hardest-hit cities in the north, east and south of Ukraine. We are withholding more specific information due to security concerns.

The Humanitarian Appeal has also delivered aid to Ukrainian displaced persons in Romania and Moldova. CUF is working with more than a dozen organizations and projects to help alleviate the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII.

In the coming weeks, CUF/UCC will continue to share information about the organizations, programs, and projects that your generous donations are supporting.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal is supporting the work of GlobalMedic, who are assisting Ukrainians displaced to neighbouring countries and internally in Ukraine. In Ukraine, Romania and Moldova GlobalMedic is distributing food, hygiene products and other aid.

In Lviv, GlobalMedic and a “local partner have taken over a restaurant in Lviv. Funded by GlobalMedic, this local restaurant serves free meals to Ukrainians living in or passing through Lviv. GlobalMedic has set up at the train station, providing these free meals to families directly after disembarking the train.” GlobalMedic has also shipped medication and medical supplies to Warsaw, which were transported to support a hospital in Lviv. “Additionally, GlobalMedic has purchased 5,000 First Aid Kits, which will be sent overseas to families in Ukraine. Some of GlobalMedic’s Ukrainian-speaking volunteers translated instructional videos made to demonstrate how the contents of the kits should be used.”

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Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is working with Ukrainian government ministries, who are in the best position to advise on the needs on the ground so that we can ensure that the donations we receive meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. The appeal will work with established partners on the ground who have demonstrated the ability to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Committee is established jointly by the two organizations to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The committee will work with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis.

April 9, 2022. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses, the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal is pleased to announce that $30 million in donations have been pledged across Canada. This includes more than 55,000 donations from large corporations, community fundraising events and individual donors.

“With almost $10M in aid delivered and committed, we know that the scale of Russia’s violent war on Ukraine will mean the need to support Ukraine for many months and years,” said Orest Sklierenko, President of the Canada Ukraine Foundation. “The Ukrainian Canadian community will be there to provide support and deliver much-needed aid to help with the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War 2.”

For 27 years the Canada Ukraine Foundation has been working to support humanitarian projects in Ukraine. Many stakeholders and donors have entrusted CUF with their support, and CUF will continue to evaluate the needs on the ground and deliver support when and where it is required, taking care to assess the impact of each provision of aid prior to using the same channel again.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has also delivered aid to Ukrainian displaced persons in Romania and Moldova. CUF is working with more than a dozen organizations and projects to help alleviate the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII.

The following article by Marco Levytsky was published April 7 in New Pathway Ukrainian News https://newpathway.ca/cuf-helps-evacuate-2500-deaf-ukrainians/

CUF helps evacuate 2500 deaf Ukrainians

Some 2500 deaf Ukrainians have been evacuated to safety thanks to the generosity of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

Transportation has been by bus, train, and private vehicles, and some of the deaf citizens from eastern Ukraine have been moved to deaf centres and schools in Western Ukraine. Humanitarian aid is also being used for food, water, and life necessities.

CUF funds are also supporting countless others staying in the country, and cover the crucial sign language interpreting services, says Debra Russell, former President of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters and member of the Alberta Stands with Ukraine group.

Sign language interpreters have largely stayed in Ukraine and were volunteering until we were able to support them. The government updates are interpreted, as well interpreting is happening at hospitals, government offices for people to secure papers required to leave, in deaf centres where people go for the latest updates on the war.

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Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is working with Ukrainian government ministries, who are in the best position to advise on the needs on the ground so that we can ensure that the donations we receive meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. The appeal will work with established partners on the ground who have demonstrated the ability to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Committee is established jointly by the two organizations to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The committee will work with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) facilitated the airlift of five pediatric cancer patients to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto last month, as part of the UHA’s ongoing programs to address the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war in Ukraine.

The five children were flown to Canada in two separate airlifts that were sponsored by UHA and cost just under half a million dollars for the specialized airplanes with proper medical equipment and healthcare professionals on board. The Toronto-based charity Meagan’s Hug sponsored the accommodations for the children and their families, and the Canada Ukraine Foundation financially supported the transport of the children, their families and medical personnel from Europe to Canada. SickKids is covering the medical costs.

The children in Canada were forced to flee from Ukraine where they had been receiving treatment. Between February 24 and April 3, 2022, there were 85 attacks on health care in Ukraine impacting 71 facilities, according to the World Health Organization’s surveillance system, resulting in 73 deaths and 46 injuries. In Ukraine, 1,442 children under the age of 14 were diagnosed with cancer in 2020. In 2019, 446 children died from cancer in Ukraine, according to Global Health Burden data and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) was established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) in response to the war in Ukraine. Working with governmental and non-governmental partners in North America and Europe, UHA’s humanitarian efforts are focused on the delivery of food, shelter and medicines, and addressing the needs of the millions of refugees and victims of war. Click here to support the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal or visit us on the web: http://cufoundation.ca

Cheque can be sent to the CUF office (620 Spadina Ave, suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4).For further information, email: [email protected]

Canada-Ukraine Foundation is a federally-registered charity (BN: 898992151RR0001)

As part of ongoing relief efforts, the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has paid for the production and delivery of 20,000 meal kits for refugees.The boxes were assembled in Dembicia, Poland, on the premises of Meest Corporation. The food contents were sourced locally, with boxes containing porridge, pasta, beans, canned meat, sunflower oil, sugar, iodized salt, oatmeal sardines, rice and black tea. With more than 57,000 calories per box, each provides 47 days of sustenance for a single person. These boxes are being delivered to the Lviv Train Station, Dzherelo, Ivano-Frankivsk.

The UHA is collaborating with multiple NGO’s in trying to meet the food needs of Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. CUF’s assistance has delivered food to Eastern Ukraine where Ukraine has been hardest hit! Those needs are expected to climb, as Russian military aggression continues to cause the greatest humanitarian crisis Europe has seen since the end of the Second World War.

Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca or by sending a cheque to CUF office (620 Spadina Ave, suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4).

For further information: [email protected]

April 2, 2022. OTTAWA/TORONTO, ON.  Since Russia launched a full-out assault on Ukraine on February 24, millions in aid has been delivered to some of the hardest-hit cities in the north, east and south of Ukraine.  We are withholding more specific information due to security concerns.

The Humanitarian Appeal has also delivered aid to Ukrainian displaced persons in Romania and Moldova. CUF is working with more than a dozen organizations and projects to help alleviate the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII.

In the coming weeks, CUF/UCC will continue to share information about the organizations, programs, and projects that your generous donations are supporting.

Together with Meest, CUF has started delivery of 400 Tons of food or 20,000 food boxes. For example, the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal recently delivered food to the Ivano-Frankivsk Food Kitchen and 500 food kits to Dzherelo Children’s Rehabilitation Centre. Dzherelo provides quality, family-centered, educational and rehabilitation services for children and youth and children at risk in Ukraine, and currently is providing shelter to displaced persons with disabilities. Find out more about the delivery by clicking on the picture below: 

As Russia continues its vicious assault on Ukrainian civilians, indiscriminately shelling and bombing Ukrainian cities, the need for humanitarian aid grows every day.

Please donate to the appeal today to support millions of Ukrainian families who have been displaced from their homes. #HelpUkraineNow

Your donation is needed to help support this important project!

Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is working with Ukrainian government ministries, who are in the best position to advise on the needs on the ground so that we can ensure that the donations we receive meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. The appeal will work with established partners on the ground who have demonstrated the ability to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Committee is established jointly by the two organizations to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The committee will work with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis.

Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca or by sending a cheque to CUF office (620 Spadina Ave, suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4). For further information: [email protected]

Over $6 million in humanitarian aid and support has now been delivered to the Ukrainian people by the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation & Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Over $1 million in support has been delivered in the last week.

Since Russia launched a full-out assault on Ukraine on February 24, aid has been delivered to some of the hardest-hit cities in the north, east, and south of Ukraine. We are withholding more specific information due to security concerns.

The Humanitarian Appeal has also delivered aid to Ukrainian displaced persons in Romania and Moldova. CUF is working with more than a dozen organizations and projects to help alleviate the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII.

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing information about the organizations, programs, and projects that your generous donations are supporting. HelpAge International is actively engaging with refugees in Moldova and working in Ukraine delivering food, medicine, and hygiene to older people, their families, and communities.

Ekaterina, from Voznesensk, Ukraine, who has sought refuge in Moldova, is one of the people whom HelpAge is assisting.

You can read her story here.

As Russia continues its vicious assault on Ukrainian civilians, indiscriminately shelling and bombing Ukrainian cities, the need for humanitarian aid grows every day.

Please donate to the appeal today to support millions of Ukrainian families who have been displaced from their homes. #HelpUkraineNow

Your donation is needed to help support this important project!

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Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is working with Ukrainian government ministries, who are in the best position to advise on the needs on the ground so that we can ensure that the donations we receive meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. The appeal will work with established partners on the ground who have demonstrated the ability to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Committee is established jointly by the two organizations to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The committee will work with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis.

Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca or by sending a cheque to CUF office (620 Spadina Ave, suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4).

For further information: [email protected]

The World Federation of the Deaf and the Canada Ukraine Foundation call on all of their members to support deaf people from Ukraine who have been affected by Russian Federation’s military invasion of Ukraine.

This unprovoked war against Ukraine represents an unprecedented violation of international law, the principles underlying the world’s democratic order and a brutal violation of basic human rights.

Daily attacks by Russian rockets and tanks against peaceful residential areas, hospitals and schools have damaged Ukraine deaf institutions and caused many from the deaf community to flee to neighbouring countries to protect their lives and the futures of their families. Hundreds of deaf people have escaped to become refugees in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and other European countries. The Ukrainian Society of the Deaf estimates that over 1,000 of the 38,000 deaf people in Ukraine have already fled to neighboring countries, and onward throughout Europe and to Canada. 

The World Federation of the Deaf and the Canada Ukraine Foundation call upon its members and supporters to:

• Issue their own statements calling on Russia to stop the war immediately
• Provide humanitarian aid to the deaf community in Ukraine and to deaf refugees (e.g. safety, housing, food, financial aid and social support) through representative national organizations of deaf people in each country. 
• Inform and educate the citizens of their own countries in their national languages (spoken and signed languages) about the negative impact of this war by means of local communication through mass and social media 
• Donate to support joint aid efforts aimed at deaf people in Ukraine and deaf refugees from Ukraine

Support any actions, decisions and positions made by the United Nations in regard to this conflict.

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation has been delivering emergency humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the first week of the horrific Russian attacks on the people of Ukraine. We wholeheartedly support UWC’s call to the scores of international aid and refugee organizations to make good on their word to their donors and also provide aid in Ukraine directly.

The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon all International Aid and Refugee NGOs including UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, and the ICRC to urgently establish operations inside Ukraine to aid persons affected by the Russian War in Ukraine.

“There are millions of displaced persons inside Ukraine, many of them are lacking their basic needs like food, heat, shelter, schools for the children. Despite Ukrainian volunteers who are trying to help those people they still need urgent assistance from the international community,” stated UWC President Paul Grod.

“There is another tragedy happening inside Ukraine: women and children who are in fact forced to leave its territory because there is no support system for internally displaced persons. This is part of Putin’s plan to ethnically cleanse Ukraine of the Ukrainian people,” Grod continued. “We urgently call upon all aid organizations to show their bravery, as the Ukrainian people are, and set up operations inside Ukraine,” Grod concluded.

The UNHCR, the ICRC, UNICEF, IOM and other international NGOs must begin providing humanitarian aid immediately within the borders of Ukraine and provide displaced Ukrainians with their basic needs before they leave the country and become refugees. The Ukrainian World Congress stands ready to assist these NGOs in logistics and in any other way if required.

The UWC President thanked the international NGOs for their devoted work in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania and other countries with Ukrainian refugees and for facilitating humanitarian and medical response for those, who fled Ukraine because of Russian invasion.

According to the UN statistics, almost three million Ukrainians have fled Ukraine so far. However, surveys show that most Ukrainians would have wanted to stay inside Ukraine and they don’t want to leave. Internally displaced Ukrainians are also exposed to the additional risk of human trafficking.

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Please donate to the appeal today to support millions of Ukrainian families who have been displaced from their homes.#HelpUkraineNow

Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca  

For further information: [email protected]

Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is working with Ukrainian government ministries, who are in the best position to advise on the needs on the ground so that we can ensure that the donations we receive meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. The appeal will work with established partners on the ground who have demonstrated the ability to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner. 

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Committee is established jointly by the two organizations to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The committee will work with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis. 

Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca or by sending a cheque to CUF office (620 Spadina Ave, suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4). For further information: [email protected]