Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis
Together with partners, Oxfam has reached over 2 million people in two years through our Ukraine Humanitarian Response.
We are no longer raising funds for this appeal, but you can donate to our Emergency Response Fund.
Last updated: 26 July 2024
The Emergency Response Fund helps us respond immediately when a disaster strikes anywhere in the world.
Donations from supporters like you help us get humanitarian supplies and support to people quickly, wherever they may be.
We work in partnership with many local organisations so we are able to adapt our response quickly when a disasters strikes.
It is vital that we can spend the Emergency Response Fund where the need is greatest, at any given time.
Please donate today to help people in crisis around the world. Thank you.
What's happening in Ukraine?
In February 2022, war started in Ukraine. Since then, Ukrainian people have faced unimaginable suffering. Nearly 14 million people in the country still need support, including six million who have had to flee their homes.
"We are very grateful to the shelter for taking us in. They look after us well here. And TTA, helping us with legal matters and our loans, in general with everything." Lydmyla in Ukraine. Image: Kieran Doherty / Oxfam
Lydmyla and her grandson
Lydmyla lives in a shelter for displaced persons. Oxfam partner The Tenth of April (TTA) helped to evacuate her and secure her a place in the shelter where she lives with her husband, children and grandchildren.
When the war started, we felt very scared, we were hiding in basements, sitting there. I want the children to go to school and kindergarten, but what can they do with all this happening, with unexploded rockets lying in the streets at home? I want everything to be good.”
Lydmyla
How we are supporting people
Over the past 2 years, Oxfam has worked with over 40 local partner organisations across Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Moldova.
Working with these organisations and communities who have been at the forefront of responding to the impacts of war, we have provided:
- clean water
- electricity
- toilets
- hygiene kits
- food
- cash
- shelter
- transport
- psycho-social support
- legal assistance
We’ve reached over 2 million people.
Oxfam's activities with partners range from:
- Sharing information with refugees at border points and providing access to reliable information through hotlines and social media.
- Distributing the resources that people need to survive today, including food parcels and hygiene kits.
- Setting up handwashing stations and toilets, including ones that are accessible for people with disabilities, and showers.
- Providing psycho-social support and advice to help people to deal with what they are going through.
- Access to legal aid so that people arriving from Ukraine can receive support and learn about their rights.
- Focusing on the needs of vulnerable groups and minorities, including Roma, LGBTQIA+, women travelling with young children and people with disabilities.
Gordana Vucinic, Oxfam area manager for the North and East of Ukraine. Image: Kieran Doherty / Oxfam
Gordana Vucinic is Oxfam area manager for the North and East of Ukraine.
“The key area of the partnership is through the national NGOs [Non-Governmental Organisations] working in Ukraine. We actually met amazing initiatives coming from the citizens themselves that were founded to help each other. Those organisations were founded literally because of the war, a few months after the war... the level of their outreach and the way they were able to know the most vulnerable people, it was extremely impressive."
Frequently asked questions
Can I donate items like clothing and blankets to help people in emergencies?
Clothes and blankets are among the many items we can sell in our shops here to raise funds, but Oxfam does not send clothes and blankets overseas, however good their condition.
Often this is not cost effective. Shipping also takes time. What people give today might not be what people need tomorrow. Wherever possible, Oxfam buys items locally or from countries in the affected region. This stimulates the local economy and has a lower environmental impact.
That's why making a cash donation is one of the most effective ways to support Oxfam's emergency work.
Can I volunteer to drive supplies from the UK overseas?
Oxfam does not send volunteer drivers from the UK overseas with supplies. Wherever possible, Oxfam buys items locally or from countries in the affected region. This stimulates the local economy and has a lower environmental impact.
That's why making a cash donation is one of the most effective ways to support Oxfam's emergency work.
We deeply appreciate anyone’s desire to support our work and would love for you to volunteer in one of our shops too. Our shop volunteers include those who have been forced to flee conflict and disaster, so they provide a way to welcome people in our communities.
Please visit our volunteering page to find out more information about the fantastic opportunities we have.
Can I offer a room to a refugee with Oxfam?
We do not offer accommodation for those seeking asylum or refuge in the UK, as this is not our area of expertise – others are best placed to do that. But we firmly believe that everyone has the right to live safely and in peace and we deeply appreciate that you are keen to support those affected.