Donate to Ukraine
17.6 million people urgently need humanitarian aid. Your support can provide shelter, food, clean water, and protection to families fleeing conflict.
Effects of the war in Ukraine. Photo: Caritas Wien/Elisabeth Sellmeier
Crisis in Ukraine
30,457 civilian casualties
including over 11,700 deaths. July 2024 was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since the invasion.
6.5 million people
have been displaced overseas
3.7 million people
have been displaced within Ukraine
17.6 million people
now need humanitarian assistance
Our partners are on the ground providing vulnerable communities with:
Emergency shelter
Access to clean water and hygiene support
Support for bills and basic necessities
Health and psychosocial support
What is the current situation in Ukraine?
Tanya and her son, Nikita, are among the many refugees who have fled the war in Ukraine. Photo: Philipp Spalek/Caritas Germany
Key issues
- Over two years have passed since the invasion of Ukraine.
- There has been extensive destruction of infrastructure and essential services, leaving millions vulnerable.
- Millions have been internally displaced within Ukraine, and millions displaced into neighbouring countries.
- Currently, the most urgent needs are helping displaced people access safe shelter, emergency food, water, hygiene kits, medication and psychosocial support.
Our response
In partnership with Caritas network partners including CAFOD, we have supported:
Humanitarian assistance to over 4.2 million people
Over 100,000 people with hygiene support and services.
Over 300,000 people with access to safe drinking water
Over 500,000 people with access to emergency shelter
Two years of war in Ukraine
Over a period of two years, we've provided over 5 million services in the Caritas way. Please watch our video update from Caritas Ukraine.
Illyena with her nine-month old baby. Photo: Philipp Spalek/Caritas Poland
Illyena's story
23-year-old Ilyena, her husband Andrei and their 9-month-old son Bagdan, decided to flee Kharkiv. After sheltering in a crowded metro station, they walked for hours through dark metro tunnels until they reached their car. It took them six days to drive to the Polish border. After they crossed, volunteers from Caritas Poland helped Illyena access a sheltered room for mothers and children, where she can access the necessities she needs to care for Bagdan. Andrej had to stay behind as most Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 cannot leave the country.
"The widespread impact of this war on civilians is also creating a legacy of mental and physical trauma that is particularly impactful on the development and wellbeing of children.
Our partners on the ground are also telling us that the war has compounded pre-existing inequalities and challenges faced by women and marginalised groups, as well as increasing the risk of gender-based violence.”
Olga's Story
As part of our Ukraine response, we are supporting CRS Moldova to provide transitional accommodation to Ukrainians displaced by the conflict. The program also provides financial support to families like Olga's, who are housing Ukranian refugees in their homes.
"I was watching TV, and I started to cry, seeing what destruction there is in Ukraine...when [the refugees] got to my house, those kids, they started crying and got on their knees. And they say, "Mum, it is so good here."'
- Olga
Many families in Moldova, like Olga's, have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes. Photo: Caritas Moldova.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are working with our partners to deliver food and clean water, access to shelter, psychosocial support, and medical support.
As part of the Caritas Network, we partner with agencies on the ground in the region, including DePaul International and CAFOD.
We do not have volunteer opportunities for specific appeals. You can find out more about volunteering for Caritas Australia here.
No, we only accept monetary donations. Money is better in times of crisis, as goods can cause logistical issues that can delay the arrival of much needed aid. Money also contributes to the local economy. You can read more about our approach here.
Our work always prioritises those who are most vulnerable in these situations, which is always children, women, people living with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
No, funds raised for this campaign go to our Ukraine response appeal, with the funds used to support the programs our partner agencies on the ground deem as priorities. These priorities can change based on the situation on the ground.
So long as there is a need to support vulnerable communities in Ukraine and surrounding countries, the Caritas Network will be involved. With no clear end to the conflict in sight, we are treating Ukraine as an ongoing situation we will continue to support.
Not at the current time.
Where the funds go
78%
of funds are spent on implementing Local and International Programs, including important education and advocacy in Australia to amplify the voice of our partners.
15%
of funds are spent on Fundraising, so that we can maintain and expand the scope of our humanitarian and development partnerships and work across the globe.
7%
of funds are spent on infrastructure, systems and people that make the work we do possible.
Our financial statements follow the financial definitions set by ACFID, and the ratios are calculated accordingly. You can read more in our Annual Reports here.
Food distribution in Ukraine. Photo: Caritas Wien/Elisabeth Sellmeier
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
