Category: News

December 10th is Human Rights Day, a day when the world commemorates the anniversary of a significant global commitment: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document asserts the inherent dignity and the inalienable rights that every person is entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other beliefs, national or social origin, property, birth, or any other status. Today, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine threatens the values outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, leading to numerous crimes not only against Ukrainians but against humanity as a whole. One of the most vulnerable groups affected by Russia’s actions is Ukrainian children.

Last week, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation announced a commitment of $220,000 to Save Ukraine to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate children forcibly taken from their homes in Ukraine’s currently occupied territories. This vital funding, made possible by a $100,000 contribution from the Temerty Foundation and the unwavering generosity of Canadians, underscores a united effort to protect the most vulnerable and restore hope for the future.

“The Temerty Foundation is proud to support the work of Canada Ukraine Foundation and Save Ukraine. We must all work together to ensure the safe return of all Ukrainian children to their homes,” said Krystina Waler, Director of Ukrainian Initiatives at the Temerty Foundation.

With this incredible donation, Save Ukraine will be able to rescue an additional 12 children from captivity and provide over 100 children, along with their families, with psychological, medical, and social support(s) needed during the rehabilitation and reintegration process. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Save Ukraine has developed a robust system for identifying, locating, rescuing and rehabilitating children abducted by Russian forces. These children have only known fear and loss, enduring unspeakable horrors, many surviving exploitation and abuse, leaving them in need of immediate and comprehensive rehabilitation. As a part of President Zelensky’s Bring Kids Back initiative, Save Ukraine has successfully returned more than 70% of all children who have been rescued from Russian captivity. To date, over 540 children, including 124 orphans, have been safely returned to Ukraine.

“Children are our future; they are Ukraine’s future. Our moral responsibility is to give Ukrainian children an opportunity to be raised in their culture and with the values of a society free of discrimination and abuse for their identity,” says Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, Chair of the Civil Society Committee of Canada Ukraine Foundation.

Amidst the chaos of Russia’s invasion, a story of resilience, survival, and hope stands out. Polina (10) her brother Vladyslav (14), and older brother Roman suffered immense physical and psychological trauma by the FSB, in addition to being subjected to the erasure of Ukrainian culture through propaganda while Russia occupied their territory. It is through the work of Save Ukraine that these children were able to be rescued from Russian terror. Donations of Canadians will directly contribute to reuniting children— like Polina and her brothers—to their families and restoring Ukrainian identity. This story is one of many, underscoring the urgent need for the work of Save Ukraine, who have been on the frontlines, saving children from the horrors of Russian captivity, rehabilitating, and reintegrating them since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

On December 3rd, the Founder of Save Ukraine, Mykola Kuleba joined Canada’s House Subcommittee on International Human Rights hearing to testify on Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children to emphasize the scope of the issue and how we, as Canadians, can contribute to the solution.

“Ukraine’s children are facing a devastating tragedy, with nearly half of them displaced, deported, or lost due to Russia’s aggression. 1.5 million have been subjected to indoctrination, forced assimilation, and militarization in occupied territories, turning victims into instruments of war. This is a clear act of genocide. At Save Ukraine, we are dedicated to rescuing these children, healing their trauma, and helping them restore their lives, ensuring no child is left behind and no future stolen.” says Mykola Kuleba, Founder of Save Ukraine.

To be a part of the effort to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate Ukrainian children from forceful Russian deportation, please donate. Visit cufoundation.ca to stay updated on one’s needs in Ukraine and to learn more.

Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) 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 main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

Many cities in Ukraine, particularly in the south, are experiencing severe damage and power outages due to ongoing assaults by Russia. Mykolaiv, an important port city near the front lines, has suffered relentless shelling and extensive damage as well. Just a week ago, Russian forces targeted critical energy infrastructure in Mykolaiv with an overnight drone attack, resulting in widespread power loss in the region, along with civilian injuries and fatalities. The city’s hospitals, overwhelmed with patients, have sustained significant physical damage and frequently face blackouts. This situation makes it nearly impossible to provide reliable treatment, especially for those who urgently need life-saving procedures.

Thanks to your generous support, through CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, we have supplied Mykolaiv’s healthcare system with five powerful solar and battery generator kits this summer. These kits are vital for keeping the lights on during the harsh, freezing winter months. The portable, solar-powered systems from New Use Energy (NUE) ensure that operating rooms and intensive care units can function effectively, even during the frequent blackouts that have become a daily reality for many. 

Dmytro Fedorenko, the Head of the Trauma Department at Mykolaiv City Emergency Hospital, stated that “NUE charging stations, which we received from the Canada-Ukraine Foundation this summer, were quickly set up in several operating rooms and intensive care units within our department. The energy supply situation in Ukraine, especially in our hospital, is challenging. Given the nature of our work in the trauma department, we receive urgent patients who require immediate surgery and cannot wait for power to be restored. NUE generators are our dependable ‘friends’ as we connect our operating equipment and continue our work.” 

This holiday season, we ask for your support to become a beacon of hope for many Ukrainians. Your donations will ensure that hospitals in Mykolaiv continue to have the power they need to operate on innocent people and children in critical condition, provide emergency care, and keep their patients warm throughout this freezing winter. Your donation will bring light to patients enduring the unimaginable in Ukraine this season.

Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) 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 main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

December 3rd is Giving Tuesday, a day of global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. You, too, can unleash your generosity by donating to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and supporting Ukrainians in need who are heading into their third holiday season under Russian missiles. Your immediate action can make a significant difference in their lives.

Today, you have the power to double your impact and POWER UP UKRAINE. By donating today, a mystery giver will match all donations to the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal’s POWER UP UKRAINE campaign up to $25,000. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in the lives of Ukrainians in need.

While festive lights, brilliant ornaments, parades, and parties brighten the Canadian holiday season, it’s a different story in Ukraine. Daily power outages leave millions of Ukrainians in the cold and dark. The urgency of this situation is underscored by the fact that Ukraine can only generate about 40% of the country’s power due to the damaged infrastructure. Through the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, we launched a unique fundraising campaign to support energy and electrification projects. This initiative, which focuses on decentralizing the dependency of essential services and hospitals on the central power supply, is a beacon of hope for vulnerable Ukrainians, ensuring they receive reliable assistance.

As you are giving, we are grateful for your kindness to Ukrainians over the years. We appreciate your participation in our Giving Tuesday generosity campaign today. 

Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) 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 main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

Just days ago, on November 25, another Russian missile attack struck the southern city of Odesa, damaging residential buildings and injuring ten people. Overnight, drones targeted energy infrastructure in the south of Mykolaiv region, causing widespread power cuts, while in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, industrial facilities were also hit. These attacks further disrupt daily life, and with harsh winter weather settling in, the situation is becoming even more dire.

Despite the grim situation, there is a glimmer of hope, and you can play a pivotal role in it. From now until January 12, 2025, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal are pulling resources to help reduce Ukraine’s dependence on a single power source and restore electricity to communities in need. Your contribution can make a significant difference. 

With your support, we can unite to power up Ukraine and ensure that Ukraine’s most vulnerable communities receive the power they need to stay safe, warm, and resilient. 

Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) 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 main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

As Canadians get ready for the holiday season, many Ukrainians are facing daily power outages. The situation is serious in cities like Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv, where families are dealing with the effects of constant missile attacks. 

Russia is continuing to target Ukraine’s energy facilities, and a significant attack on November 17 left millions of people without power for days across 16 regions. On top of that, harsh winter weather is making it even more challenging for Ukraine to maintain its power supply. Earlier this month, over 300 towns in eastern Ukraine lost electricity due to damage from the weather. 

As the winter progresses, this problem is likely to worsen and affect even more people. But there is a way to help. From now until January 12, 2025, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s and Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal is raising funds to support efforts that will reduce Ukraine’s reliance on a single source of power. Our goal is to restore electricity where it’s most needed and assist communities in distress. 

You too can become a part of a holiday miracle. By donating today, you can help ensure that hospitals, schools, and essential services in Ukraine can keep their lights on and stay warm. Every dollar counts and contributes to our mission: POWER UP UKRAINE, TOGETHER. 

With your support and generosity, we can help ensure that Ukrainians have reliable access to electricity throughout the country. No matter how big or small, every donation can make a real difference and help keep families safe and warm. 

Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) 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 main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation and Save Ukraine announce a unique collaboration to fund programs targeted toward the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as rehabilitation services for the returned children who endured sexual exploitation and abuse in Russia’s captivity.  

The ongoing war in Ukraine has created a humanitarian crisis that is difficult to comprehend fully. Among the most vulnerable are Ukrainian children, an estimated 1.5 million of which are at risk of having their identities and futures erased by the Russian forces invading their homeland. Approximately 744,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly relocated to Russia so far, and only about 20,000 of them have been documented and identified. 

Save Ukraine has stepped up to meet this unprecedented crisis and has successfully returned more than 70% of the children who have been rescued from Russian captivity. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, the organization has developed a robust system for identifying, locating, rescuing and rehabilitating children abducted by Russian forces, with over 520 children—119 of whom are orphans—already returned safely to Ukraine. These children have endured unspeakable horrors, and many have survived sexual exploitation and abuse, leaving them in need of immediate and comprehensive rehabilitation.  

Join us in the important work of bringing Ukrainian children back from Russian captivity. Your donation, no matter the amount, is a direct contribution towards reuniting a child with their family and restoring their Ukrainian identity. These children, some as young as toddlers, have only known fear and loss. Your support can help create a future where they can once again feel the love of their families, speak their language, and embrace their heritage.   

AUCTION FOR THE CHILDREN OF UKRAINE

Don’t miss an exciting opportunity to take home exclusive items and experiences by participating in the Auction for the Children of Ukraine. This event will give Canadians a chance to start Christmas shopping while supporting CUF’s many initiatives targeted at supporting essential services for Ukrainian children during this war. Bidding begins on November 7th!

Background

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) – founded in 1995, CUF has a strong track record of providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the areas of healthcare, education and civil society. CUF collaborates with aid providers in Ukraine, Canada, and beyond to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness of your support.