How you can help support Ukrainians in need

Almost £3m has been raised by UK Jewish groups to support communities in Ukraine, but charities warn the money may not be enough to cover “worst case scenarios.”

Communal charities galvanised supporters to raise funds for the provision of food, cash, medical, material, and psychological support, to those caught in the crossfire of war.

World Jewish Relief’s emergency appeal has generated in excess of £1.5m so far, and has received the backing of the Office for the Chief Rabbi and United Synagogue.

• You can donate to World Jewish Relief’s campaign here

The charity is linked to partner organisations on the ground, but says it requires an estimated £3.5m to support victims in the next 12 months, adding that tis doesn’t “cover worst case scenarios”.

It said it will prioritise its 13,000 existing clients in the country, aiding the most vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities in the besieged city of Kharkiv.

The conflict has led to at least half-a-million internal refugees, with many heading west, where they try to seek asylum in neighbouring states, Poland, Moldova, Slovakia and Hungary.

WJR is supporting Ukrainian families who have fled across the border, and is also poised to assist any Ukrainian refugees who come to the UK.

Chairman of World Jewish Relief, Maurice Helfgott, met HRH Prince Charles during a gathering on Wednesday, who are helping in the relief effort. The Prince of Wales is patron of the charity.

Stacey Swimer, Director of Programmes and Partnerships, said it “has been a week of despair for World Jewish Relief’s partners and clients in Ukraine.

“I have had tears down the phone line as partners take desperate measures to evacuate as many civilians from major cities as possible and get them to the Moldovan border.

Tikvah UK, which is linked with the Tikvah organisation in Ukraine supporting homeless, abandoned and abused Jewish children, has raised more than £1.2m.

• You can donate to Tikvah UK’s campaign here

It is urging the community to continue donating, having raised more than £1.2m. Karen Bodenstein, Chief Executive, of Tikvah UK said that “due to the difficulties of a war economy, cost of essential items from security, bedding, generators, food and security are rising at alarming rates. Our costs are currently at £1.5m ($2m) and rising.

“We are very concerned about the safety of our children who remain in Ukraine and we implore anyone who can donate to please do so.

“We must ensure that the team on the ground have everything they need to keep our children and community of young families and elderly safe. We have evacuated over 1000 people so far and the numbers continue to rise daily.”

Earlier this week, the United Synagogue held an emergency briefing on the crisis in Ukraine, with World Jewish Relief, broadcaster and author Tim Marshall and Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London, Professor Lawrence Freedman.

On the ground, British-born Israeli, Jonny Daniels, has been taking medical supplies to the Polish-Ukrainian border and raising money for those recognised as Righteous Among The Nations by Yad Vashem, affected by the war. So far more than £13,000 has been raised.

He says there are just 17 Righteous left in Ukraine, as he appealed for donations: “With fear and uncertainty, we must do all we can to support them and keep them safe, providing them with what they need to stay home and stay safe, or leave if they wish to do so.”

You can donate to Jonny Daniel’s fundraiser for the righteous here