It was 9 p.m. on a Wednesday night. I was sitting at my desk, typing mindlessly for an assignment due that night. My phone lit up with a notification from the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) app. It read “Explosions heard as Russia launches ‘full scale invasion’ on Ukraine.” My heart dropped in my chest as I read this headline. Between work and classes, I have been trying to keep up with the news and have heard about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. I hoped that it would not escalate to this point. I stopped typing and sat in silence, pondering what this attack could mean not only for the fate of Ukraine, but the fate of the world.
As I have watched the conflict in Ukraine unfold, I have felt helpless and powerless. But I’ve realized that it is important to not dwell on these feelings. In a digital world, we are constantly bombarded with information and news stories that paint reality in a negative light. Oftentimes I find myself feeling overwhelmed by all the bad stuff going on in the world and my insignificance in the grand scheme of things. However, we are not powerless. I firmly believe that everyone, even overworked college students, can make a difference and change the world for the better.
It all starts with being informed. A quick internet search and a browse through articles from reputable sources provided me with a summary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. I also researched the United States’ stance on this issue and read President Biden’s statements regarding the unfolding crisis. I called my parents and talked to them about what was going on. As a global studies major, I find issues like these particularly interesting and I am concerned with their effects on the entire world. I am afraid that if Putin succeeds in invading Ukraine, he will set a dangerous precedent for future tyrannical world leaders. It is critical that he be stopped now so that the people of Ukraine can be saved from Putin’s wrath.
My interest in this issue has led me to become passionate about supporting Ukraine in any way I can. Through my research, I have found various organizations and funds that are dedicated to helping the people in Ukraine. Here are some of my favorites:
This international humanitarian organization is raising money to provide food, water and emergency aid to families in Ukraine. They are currently partnering with People in Need to raise enough money to help four million Ukrainians.
GlobalGiving is a U.S.-based nonprofit that recently launched a Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund page. Donations to this fund will be used to provide aid to Ukraine and surrounding areas that have welcomed Ukrainian refugees.
Project Hope is an international healthcare organization that is currently sending medical supplies and providing medical screenings for Ukrainian refugees.
The World Food Programme is a United Nations humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting hunger. They have launched emergency relief in the Ukraine and have deployed hundreds of tons of food to the Ukrainian border this week.
The current state of the world may be a bit depressing right now, but it is important to remember that we are not powerless. We can make a difference by talking about these issues, using social media to spread the word, and giving what we can to credible organizations. Together we can make the change we want to see in the world.
Donate:
GlobalGiving: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/
Project Hope: https://secure.projecthope.org/site/SPageNavigator/2022_02_Ukraine_Response_Web_UNR.html&s_subsrc=wb1
The World Food Programme: https://secure.wfpusa.org/donate/ukraineconflict-ref
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