War in Ukraine: How can we help?

War is raging in Ukraine and many families are affected. Whether directly with relatives or friends in Ukraine or Russia. Or indirectly with the desire to support affected people. Here we introduce you to large and small organisations that you (and your children) can support.

Editor: Florina SchwanderrnPicture: Rawpixel

A portion of your pocket money, the proceeds from the neighbourhood flea market or a few everyday items: many children and adults currently have a great desire for commitment, for concrete support for Ukraine. Below is a list of national, international and local organisations that you can support, as well as a few tips for helping children in a very concrete way.

National and international organisations

Lucky chain

The Swiss organisation is collecting donations for the Ukrainian population. Click here to go directly to the donation form via www.glueckskette.ch

Red Cross Switzerland

The Red Cross is also committed to helping the Ukrainian population and supports a local sister organisation. Click here to go directly to the donation form via www.redcross.ch

Another text on the topic:
War is raging in Europe: on the morning of 24 February, Russia launched an invasion of its neighbouring country Ukraine. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have fled to the West and many civilians have been injured or killed. Images of war and destruction are causing fear and uncertainty in many families. Yvonne Müller, co-director of the Parents' Emergency Call Centre, supports parents in giving children a safe basis and provides specific tips on how to talk to children and young people about the war. Read the full text here: How do you talk to children about the war?

Save the Children

The organisation, which was founded in Switzerland, is committed to helping children internationally. Save the Children is currently also collecting donations for 7.5 million children at risk in Ukraine. Click here to go directly to the donation form via www.savethechildren.ch

Unicef

Unicef, the United Nations Children's Fund, also uses donations directly for children. Click here to go directly to the donation form via www.unicef.ch

Caritas Switzerland

Caritas Switzerland has donated CHF 1.5 million in emergency aid to Ukraine. This will provide the people on the ground and those fleeing with the most basic necessities. Click here to go directly to the donation form via www.caritas.ch

Doctors without borders

The Médecins Sans Frontières team in Ukraine reports on many people on the run and is committed to providing impartial and independent medical aid. Click here to go directly to the donation form via www.msf.ch

My child wants to help. What should parents bear in mind?

    rn
  • Support your child's empathy. Pick them up and try to categorise their willingness to help according to their age.
  • (Why exactly do you want to help? What do you expect or hope to gain from it?)

    • rn

  • Show your child the limits of offers of help at an early stage. Unfortunately, no teddy bear given away will end a war and yet every sign, every act of compassion is important.
  • Solidarity can also be explained to younger children, see the following video.

    • rn

  • Reassure your child that they can still be happy in the here and now.
  • Discuss values such as gratitude and humility whenever possible and possible.

    • rn

  • Nobody has to help, nobody has to demonstrate. If your child doesn't want to get involved, don't force them. Children are not obliged to take an interest in the world. They may be insecure or anxious, in which case you can try to talk to them and pick up on their worries.

    • r

n

  • Be an example for your children if you yourself are interested in helping, in the spirit of «Do good and talk about it».

    • rnrn

(With the kind support of Yvonne Müller, Co-Head of the Parent Helpline)rnrn

Local organisations

Someone knows someone who knows someone. And this person organises a bus to pick up Ukrainian refugees at the Polish border. Someone is collecting sleeping bags and sleeping mats, powdered milk and toys. You can help! It is difficult to get an overview of local offers, as the organisation and mobilisation takes place locally, often via word of mouth. Below we list some online organisations of local aid campaigns for Ukraine.

Embassy of Ukraine Bern

The Ukrainian embassy in Bern has appealed for medical donations via Facebook. The medical supplies will be accepted by the Ukrainian embassy in Bern from Monday to Friday (16:00 to 19:00) by prior appointment (swisshelpukraine@gmail.com) (source: Blick.ch).

Facebook

There are already various groups or pages on Facebook that offer or coordinate low-threshold support services, for example Switzerland Ukraine.

Solidarity can also be explained to younger children. Here is an example from SRF.

#Leavenoonebehind

Under the hashtag #Leavenoonebehind, you can find various offers on Instagram on how to help refugees. You can register on the website itself if you would like to get involved; the organisation wants to coordinate and allocate the various offers. People who would like to offer Ukrainian refugees a place to sleep can register via Ronorp or Campax.

Aid for Ukraine

We do not guarantee the completeness and good intentions of the campaigns presented. Please email any corrections or further offers to online (at) fritzundfraenzi.chrnrnFoundationSwitzerland is constantly updating its overview of meaningful and trustworthy donation organisations. We regularly draw attention to aid projects on our Instagram and Facebook channels.