Best charity to help Ukraine?

[Ari]

I'm thinking I ought to try and do something to help, and a donation to a charity that is actively assisting seems to be the obvious route.

Any suggestions as to which would be best? I have no idea.

[Stupeo]

What about donating directly to the Ukraine Military?

https://bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-...

[Ari]

I think I'd rather be helping the people forced out of their houses with nowhere to go.

[generationx]

Unicef has a specific page for this crisis. That was my first thought.

[campionissimo]

So does the National Bank of Ukraine

https://bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-...

[Claret m]

https://www.dec.org.uk

Best part UK government matching donations up to £20 million. One donation benefits a number of charities in the region.

[ApOrbital]

This is cool.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60602092

[Ari]

Claret m said:

https://www.dec.org.uk

Best part UK government matching donations up to £20 million. One donation benefits a number of charities in the region.

Ah brilliant, that's probably the one then.

[ResQ1]

But how much of the money donated to DEC actually gets to the people who need it ?

15 major charities with full time paid executives and staff, plus the DEC themselves, with another paid exec board and staff.

It would be good to get some clarity on how much of every pound donated actually ends up in the hands of the people affected.

[ATG]

ResQ1 said:

But how much of the money donated to DEC actually gets to the people who need it ?

15 major charities with full time paid executives and staff, plus the DEC themselves, with another paid exec board and staff.

It would be good to get some clarity on how much of every pound donated actually ends up in the hands of the people affected.

They all publish annual financial statements. Just Google for them.

[texaxile]

Our local Tesco is accepting food donations, plus bags of stuff like toiletries etc (there's a list of preferred items). It's all going on a truck to Poland tomorrow with a driver giving his time for free.

Only a local scale and small time, but props to Tesco for allowing and endorsing it plus I'd wager there's more chance of the stuff reaching those who need it rather than it getting swallowed up in expenses from a larger organisation.

I have also donated to the Red Cross, but the bulk of my donation went into stuff at Tesco.

[Zetec-S]

ApOrbital said:

This is cool.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60602092

It's very generous, but not entirely sure it helps. And if I wanted to be more harsh/controversial then I'd say it smacks a little of virtue signalling.

I read a post on our local FB page by someone from Poland who claims to be involved in various relief organisations/efforts. I know it's facebook so take with a pinch of salt, but he was basically saying that this sort of thing is not what is required, especially for the Ukraine situation. The refuges are not travelling thousands of miles across 3rd world countries or remote regions, they are quickly entering European/EU countries with modern infrastructure with easy access to food, clothing, medicines, blankets, toys, etc.

Loading up an old transit with tat people no longer want and driving it across Europe is going to be of limited help. A lot will end up dumped by the side of the road or in landfill. Donating to the Red Cross or DEC is going to be far more effective. I appreciate the concerns about highly paid executives, but when it comes down to it these organisations tend to have the knowledge and experience to give out help where it is needed.

[Ari]

Zetec-S said:

Loading up an old transit with tat people no longer want and driving it across Europe is going to be of limited help. A lot will end up dumped by the side of the road or in landfill. Donating to the Red Cross or DEC is going to be far more effective. I appreciate the concerns about highly paid executives, but when it comes down to it these organisations tend to have the knowledge and experience to give out help where it is needed.

That's pretty much my view. It makes great social media content, but injecting actual money straight where it is needed most and can be spent on what is actually required seems to me to be probably the more helpful thing to do.

[BoRED S2upid]

Here’s a cool idea I read yesterday. Go to Airbnb book a 2 night stay in Ukraine money goes straight to Ukraine citizens. No middleman, no transport costs to cover sending nappies straight to anyone who has an annex or apartment to let.

[smithyithy]

Although I'm sure the intention is good (for the most part), the whole packing up loads of random stuff to drop off at a local supermarket to be shipped halfway across Europe just doesn't seem very efficient... Over a million people have crossed the border to Poland so it would be better if we could donate directly to the businesses and people in that area so they can better support the refugees when they arrive, i.e. so they can provide food and shelter to people without it being financially detrimental to them..

I think the other posters are right, either Red Cross or a charity who are practically on the ground helping people, the national Bank or military if you want to help fund their efforts, or the Airbnb idea is good as it goes directly to citizens..

[CinnamonFan]

BoRED S2upid said:

Here’s a cool idea I read yesterday. Go to Airbnb book a 2 night stay in Ukraine money goes straight to Ukraine citizens. No middleman, no transport costs to cover sending nappies straight to anyone who has an annex or apartment to let.

Do airbnb waive their service charge? I like the idea a lot.

[Condi]

Red Cross are always there, supporting both refugees and people still in Ukraine. They seem as good as any if you want to support civilians.

[Ari]

BoRED S2upid said:

Here’s a cool idea I read yesterday. Go to Airbnb book a 2 night stay in Ukraine money goes straight to Ukraine citizens. No middleman, no transport costs to cover sending nappies straight to anyone who has an annex or apartment to let.

If you want to target people wealthy enough to have at least two properties, I guess this is a good way to do it...

[BoRED S2upid]

CinnamonFan said:

BoRED S2upid said:

Here’s a cool idea I read yesterday. Go to Airbnb book a 2 night stay in Ukraine money goes straight to Ukraine citizens. No middleman, no transport costs to cover sending nappies straight to anyone who has an annex or apartment to let.

Do airbnb waive their service charge? I like the idea a lot.

There is pressure on them to do so.

Wealthy people are still being bombed and hiding in tunnels. You would think in time of war the wealthy help their less well off neighbours.

It’s a good way of getting money direct to Ukrainians quickly. Book a night this weekend for as little as £30!

[Puggit]

We donating to the Polish Red Cross: https://pck.pl/na-pomoc-ukrainie/