Since 24.02.22 Ukraine is shaken by heavy and brutal attacks from the Russian army. Targeting civilian places happens also on a daily basis. Many men are fighting at the frontline; women, children and elderly people – just to survive in their hiding places, basements or bomb shelters. Millions of people have lost their home and are on the run, most of them (still) within the country.
The international solidarity and willingness to help are overwhelming, but unfortunately the large aid organizations do not reach every place and not every person who needs help in Ukraine.

Food and medication are becoming scarcer, and in some cases, it is almost impossible for people to reach it, also due to badly damaged
infrastructure, lack of own or public transport, destroyed supply chains and frequent shelling.
Medical care is also very limited. In order to counteract the humanitarian catastrophe, many volunteers are self-organizing in this emergency. Above all, they take care of the procurement and logistics, including food, resources, hygiene items, medicines or animal feed, as well as possible repairs of damage in houses and apartments (repairing damaged pipes, sealing broken windows with alternative materials, etc.).

Many people and animals survive only thanks to this direct help and support.

Friends For Ukraine (FFU) is an information platform about the volunteers (small groups and individuals) who demonstrate heroic humanitarian work in Ukraine every day. Since they act out of conviction, they usually finance themselves from their own resources. We would therefore like to introduce them and draw attention to their commitment and courage. They deserve our respect, but they also need financial support to keep going.

The idea of FFU raised because we are all witnessing the increasing need in Ukraine, which continues despite the enormous international willingness to help.

We see the volunteers as a necessary addition next to the big aid organizations because they can daily reach the affected people on site more quickly. Since much less attention is paid to volunteers, we would like to close this information gap.

Each of them reports daily on Instagram, Facebook or other social networks. This allows to track the direct impact of their work and, thus, of your financial support. We have contacted all listed persons and groups. All information has been checked and agreed.

Money transfers to Ukraine might be expensive. To avoid unnecessary transaction costs, you are welcome to collect donations – in your family – in your social communtiy – in your village – and then transfer them in bundles.
At the same time, many banks are waiving or refunding the fees immediately due to the current situation. Please contact your bank for more information.

PayPal payments are currently possible without fees, till the End of December. Please note that “sending money” with PayPal to Ukraine works currently regular and uncomplicated as usual. A preselection for “send money abroad” is not necessary.