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By now, we’ve all heard about Russia launching a full-scale assault on Ukraine on Feb 24.
On Feb 28, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that Singapore would impose sanctions on Russia in his ministerial statement in Parliament. The measures will include setting export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine and blocking certain Russian bank and financial transactions connected to Russia.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has been recording civilian casualties. More than 1,000 civilians, including women and children, have been killed so far as they huddle in their bombed homes or try to flee their besieged cities.
More than 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the invasion started, sparking Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since World War II.
While many of us may not understand the geopolitics in play, it is never easy to read about and watch innocent civilians dying and getting hurt. So as we stare at our HDB bomb shelters pensively, wishing we could share them at a time when they need it the most, how else can we help the Ukrainians? Here are five ways.
Donate to the Singapore Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Response
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged to contribute US$100,000 to support affected communities, working through the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in their ongoing response. The support will provide relief supplies such as hygiene kits, family kits and household kits for the vulnerable who are displaced by the conflict.
In addition, SRC will launch a public fundraising appeal from now till May 31 to raise more funds to aid the expected massive humanitarian operations.
Already, Singaporeans have already contributed $2 million in donations.
Mr Benjamin William, Secretary-General and CEO of Singapore Red Cross, said: “We are deeply concerned about the outbreak of open conflict and its dire consequences. The humanitarian needs on the ground will continue to rise as the conflict intensifies. Working with our Red Cross Movement partners, we will continue to assist the affected communities, many of whom could potentially lose their homes and all their belongings.”
You can donate at Giving.sg
Support Ukraine directly
The Embassy of Ukraine in Singapore has issued a statement on Facebook to counter misinformation with verified information from Ukraine’s official English-language sources and channels such as government websites and social media accounts.
It also encouraged individuals to donate to Ukraine’s central charity fund and its national bank.
Help displaced Ukrainians
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Many Ukrainians are being forced to flee their homes, either within their country or across borders.
Over 160,000 people are reported to have been displaced within Ukraine since February 24, and more than 1.5 million have been forced to flee across borders into neighbouring Moldova, Poland, and other European nations.
The US ambassador to the United Nations has warned that the Russian invasion could displace up to five million Ukrainians.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is mobilising resources to provide life-saving support to people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine.
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“We truly hope we can avert disaster and avoid the human suffering we will inevitably see if this conflict continues to escalate,” says IRC senior director of emergencies, Lani Fortier.
“However, the IRC is ready and preparing for the worst. We are working to quickly mobilise resources and connect with partners to establish a response to provide lifesaving support to civilians forced to flee their homes.
“We will work to respond where we are needed the most and with the services that are needed urgently. Whatever the needs are, we are preparing to meet them.”
Celebrities like Hollywood couple John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have also joined the cause and called for IRC support on their Instagram channels.
To help, you can send an emergency gift here.
Use your crypto for good
Stand with the people of Ukraine. Now accepting cryptocurrency donations. Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT.
BTC – 357a3So9CbsNfBBgFYACGvxxS6tMaDoa1P
ETH and USDT (ERC-20) – 0x165CD37b4C644C2921454429E7F9358d18A45e14
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) February 26, 2022
Cryptocurrencies have emerged as a boon for the people and the government of Ukraine. Numerous donations have been made via crypto.
The Ukrainian government announced on February 26 that it was accepting donations in cryptocurrency in two wallets — one for Bitcoin and another for Ether and Tether.
According to Reuters, blockchain analytics firm Elliptic said that the wallets had raised almost 13 million British pounds in 17,300 donations by 28 February.
Are your cryptocurrencies heading to the moon? Now may be your chance to give back generously.
Buy sunflowers for peace in Ukraine
Flower Addict is one of the first local companies to pledge a percentage of its sales to help those suffering in the war. The online florist announced that it will be donating 100% of its profits from the sales of sunflowers to the humanitarian charity Sunflower of Peace until the end of March.
Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of sunflower seeds and sunflower oil, and the sunflower is its national flower, symbolising positivity, strength, and loyalty. Through this small gesture, Flower Addict hopes to provide some help and relief to those in need.
“Along with the rest of the world, we are shocked and saddened to watch what is unfolding across Ukraine. We want to offer this opportunity for people in Singapore to show support in the form of a flower and remind ourselves of our countless blessings,” says co-founder Sandi Sadek.
Additionally, having beautiful sunflowers at home can be a small way to create meaningful conversations about the Ukraine-Russia conflict with guests or children when they see those bright, sunny blooms.
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