Earth Day in a War Zone: Ukraine’s Silent Environmental Crisis

Published: April 16, 2024

April 22, 2024. Earth Day. Amid the ongoing war and all of its attendant crises, sorrows and stresses, Ukraine is a country grappling with severe ecological devastation – often an afterthought of institutional violence.

Russia’s aggression has inflicted a deep wound on Ukraine’s environment. From poisoned air and water due to attacks on industrial facilities, to ravaged landscapes scarred by shelling and bombing, the natural world is a hidden victim of this war. A recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates the war has caused $1 billion in environmental damages in Ukraine so far, threatening not only Ukraine’s future but the health of our entire planet.

War Crimes with Lasting Impacts

Russia’s war crimes go beyond immediate destruction:

Deliberate targeting of environmental infrastructure – аttacks on water treatment plants and oil refineries have led to widespread contamination of water sources and air pollution.
Landmine contamination – мillions of landmines laid across some 30% of Ukrainian territory, pose a long-term threat to civilians and wildlife, hindering agricultural production and safe land use.
Destruction of protected areas – military activity has damaged or destroyed national parks and reserves, jeopardizing unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Around 600,000 hectares of Ukrainian forest has been damaged by the war, some 32% of the country’s total.
Pollution from toxic waste: over 950,000 tons of waste from destroyed equipment are leaching into the land. For more impact data go to https://mepr.gov.ua/

Environmental Crimes by Russia

Odesa (Black Sea)

Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports in 2023 and attacks on maritime vessels threaten a major ecological disaster in the Black Sea. Millions of tons of grain in Ukrainian ports are essential for global food security, and a disruption in their export could lead to shortages and price hikes. Additionally, the risk of sunken ships releasing pollutants like oil and hazardous materials is high, disrupting delicate marine ecosystems and potentially harming fish populations crucial to the Black Sea’s food chain. This environmental damage could have long-lasting consequences, impacting not just Ukraine but the entire Black Sea region. (Source)

Chornobyl Exclusion Zone

In 2022, Russian forces occupied the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, including the decommissioned Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, raising concerns about potential damage to the fragile containment structures and the release of radioactive materials. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, any breach of containment could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine and surrounding areas. These contemporary concerns compound the nearly 40 year aftermath of the original Chornobyl meltdown, considered the worst nuclear disaster in history. (Source)

Kakhovka Hydroelectric Dam

Russia’s control over the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River was devastating. In June 2023, an explosion tore through a significant section of the dam (estimated at 85 meters long). The dam break caused catastrophic flooding downstream, inundating over 600 square kilometers of land, including agricultural fields and villages on both sides of the Dnipro River. It’s estimated that tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate to escape the rising waters. (Source)

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam also crippled a critical source of hydroelectric power for Ukraine. The dam’s power station generated a significant amount of electricity, and its loss puts additional strain on Ukraine’s already stressed energy grid.

TEC Trypilska

In a recent attack on April 11, 2024, Russian forces launched a barrage of missiles and drones that completely destroyed the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant, according to Ukrainian officials. This attack did not just cause damage, but also severe air pollution from burning coal stores, and it eliminated a critical source of power generation for the Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions. (Source)

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Beyond the documented environmental damage, another looming threat hangs over Ukraine: the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe. Currently under Russian control, the plant has been repeatedly shelled, raising international concerns about a potential nuclear catastrophe. According to CNN, recent shelling of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on April 7, 2024, damaged a non-reactor building. (Source)

Hope for Renewal: How You Can Help on Earth Day

This Earth Day, we encourage you to stand with Ukraine in its fight for environmental renewal. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Donate: Razom Relief, in collaboration with the EBRD, has launched a fundraising initiative to help communities in liberated areas rebuild their lives and restore their land. Your contribution up to $30,000 will be matched 1:1 by the EBRD, doubling your impact. Funds will be used to:

Distribute seeds, trees, and fertilizers for agricultural revival.
Provide small livestock to support families in need.
Build greenhouses for sustainable food production.
Repair roofs and windows for war-torn homes.

Learn more: HERE

Donate your vehicle: Another pathway for you to support Razom is vehicle donation. Through our partnership with NCS, donating your car, RV, boat, motorcycle, or another vehicle is an easy, secure, and tax-deductible way to contribute. Please note that while your donation helps support our mission, the vehicle itself will not be sent to Ukraine. However, your generosity will still make a significant impact. It’s not only generous but also sustainable.

Learn more: HERE

Spread Awareness: Share this information with your friends, family and community. The more people who know about the environmental impact of the war, the more support we can generate for Ukraine’s recovery.

Let’s continue to stand with Ukraine and work towards a hopeful future when peace and environmental sustainability can flourish. Together, we can make a difference!

Uprooted: How Razom and The Kyiv Independent brought stories of abducted Ukrainian children to American cities

Published: March 13, 2024

In an effort to bring awareness to U.S. audiences about Russian war crimes against the youngest and most vulnerable Ukrainians, Razom recently collaborated with The Kyiv Independent, a leading English-language media outlet in Ukraine. The partnership produced a series of screenings and panel discussions of their documentary Uprooted, which investigates the illegal abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children from Mariupol by Russia.

The film tour lasted ten days and covered five cities: New York, Washington D.C., Houston, Austin and Phoenix. During this time, Razom together with its local partners arranged 7 screenings and 4 side events that engaged approximately 500 people around the U.S. in the conversation about this unimaginable war crime. We were honored to have the Kyiv Independent team represented by its CEO Daryna Shevchenko, Head of War Crimes Investigations, Yevheniia Motorevska and War Crime reporter, Olesia Bida.

The delegation brought with it a very special participant, Ivan Maktkovskyi, a protagonist in the documentary. Ivan was a young person trying to escape Mariupol but was intercepted and forcibly transferred by the occupying forces to Donetsk. Fortunately, Ivan managed to report his location and was returned to Ukraine. However, his peers were taken to Russia against their will. Now, Ivan considers his mission to be that of acting as the voice for those children who were abducted by Russia to help them return to Ukraine.

Ivan’s testimony added value to every event and touched everyone who heard his story.

Experts on the topic contributed to the conversion in each city on the tour.

In New York, we were joined by a journalist and host of the “Black Diplomat” podcast Terrell Jermaine Starr who explained the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the universal practices of oppression. During the screening at Columbia University, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Ambassador Serhiy Kyslytsya joined the conversation moderated by Katya Soldak, a journalist at Forbes, to share his experience of working on the crime of child abduction at the U.N.

A writer and executive editor at the Reckoning Project, Peter Pometanzev contributed to the panel in Washington, D.C. by explaining how Russia uses the abduction of children in its propaganda.

A historian and researcher of former Soviet countries, Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon shared her expertise on the history of Russian colonialism in Ukraine, at an intimate discussion in Houston.

Nathan Mark Hutson from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Steven Seegel from the Center for East European, and Eurasian Studies joined the panel at The University of Texas at Austin.

In Phoenix we were honored to have State Congressman David Cook sharing his experience of visiting Ukraine, and a local activist, Orest Jejna.

Representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States were able to join the screenings in Washington, D.C., and Houston.

During the tour, the delegation had a chance to meet with the Office of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in Washington, D.C., representatives from the State Department, Senator John Cornyn’s Regional Office in Austin, and have a personal meeting with Congresswoman Debbie Lesko in Phoenix.

During the meetings, the delegation briefed officials on the issue of the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia and the appropriate legislative and policy actions that the U.S. can take to help Ukraine.

In addition to the screening, the delegation participated in side events including a closed networking opportunity for journalists and an open house at the Ukrainian Institute of America.

We held meetings with prominent think tanks in Washington, D.C., like the Wilson Center, CEPA and USIP. In Phoenix, a panel discussion was held at the German-speaking community center, Treffpunkt. Side events allowed the participants to expand their conversation with the public and exchange experiences with their colleagues.

The tour attracted the attention of the local media and resulted in multiple interviews by KXAN, Northeast Valley News, Arizona Central and others.

A special treat during the tour was Ivan’s meeting with Gilbert Tuhabonye — a survivor of the genocide during the Burundian Civil War, a long-distance runner, and author of This Voice in My Heart: A Runner’s Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness.

A quick conversation between the two grew into a joint run the next morning in Austin, and inspired Ivan to journal about his experience of abduction.

The tour increased awareness about the crime of abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia and exposed Russian atrocities in occupied territories as yet another reason to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom.

This tour would not have been possible without the dedicated Razom team behind it and Razom’s wonderful partners. We would like to thank the following people and organizations for contributing to the organization of the tour:

The Cooper Union
Ukrainian Institute of America
Human Rights Foundation
Georgetown University Ukrainian Society
Columbia University Ukrainian Club
UT Austin School of Journalism and Media, The LBJ School of Public Affairs, The Alexander Hamilton Society, The Strauss Center for International Security and Law, UT Austin Center for East European and Eurasian Studies
14 pews in Houston
Cactus & Tryzub
Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations
Treffpunkt
UNWLA
Houston for Ukraine (HTX4Ukraine)

Special thanks to the Office of Congressman Mike Quigley, Democrat of Illinois.

Feel free to organize screenings of Uprooted in your community. Watch the documentary on Kyiv Independent’s YouTube.

Together, we can demand accountability for stolen childhoods!

Winter Preparedness Grants Make a Difference for Thousands

Published: March 12, 2024

The war in Ukraine has brought immense hardship, and winter only exacerbated the challenges faced by many communities. Damaged infrastructure and limited resources had left residents vulnerable to the harsh realities of a cold season. This winter, Razom Relief partnered with Ukrainian organizations to provide crucial winter aid, delivering items like firewood, power banks, blankets, gas cookers, and aiding in house insulation and windows, and roof renovations. In this article, we aim to spotlight three of such organizations.

Razom x Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development

Razom provided funds to the Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development to distribute winter supplies in Bilozerka and Stanislav. These communities endured a 9-month occupation and, even after liberation, they continue to face the constant threat of artillery shelling. Those who could evacuate did so. Mostly elderly people, large families, and individuals with disabilities remained. Securing their most fundamental needs is an ongoing struggle, particularly during the harsh winter months.

This project provided 44 families with fuel briquettes for heating and 70 families with essential winter kits, including flashlights, thermoses, portable gas stoves, blankets, and socks.

Tetiana Buzhenko, humanitarian staff member at the Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development:

“I am amazed at how grateful our fellow villagers are for the help they receive. Some cry, others constantly express thanks. It feels like their cherished dream has come true. It is also sad at the same time, because you understand that people need simple things that they did not think about before, and now they are not able to afford them. Did anyone ever think that we would need portable stoves or flashlights?! I am glad that I can help my fellow countrymen!”

Kateryna Okseniuk, Head of humanitarian staff at the Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development:

“The humanitarian direction in our organization is new, but quite powerful. During all of 2023, we worked tirelessly to help our communities improve their living conditions, meet the needs of residents so that necessary things like medicines and goods were available to them. Frankly speaking, it is not easy, but we understand that if we have the opportunity to help, we cannot neglect it. This project shows how much we are needed by our fellow countrymen and how vulnerable they are now.”

Razom x Nove Misto

Nove Misto Charity Foundation is an organization established in 2022 dedicated to providing vital humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Led by construction expert Kyrylo Hordiienko, Nove Misto focuses on restoring damaged civilian structures, ensuring access to utilities, clearing debris, and assisting animals in need.

In areas like the Kharkiv region, frequently targeted by Russian forces, Razom supported Nove Misto in replacing windows for 21 households. This seemingly simple project provided vital repairs for families struggling with the harsh winter conditions. Damaged windows meant more than just drafts and discomfort; they symbolized compromised safety, increased vulnerability, and a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle.

In the village of Tsupivka, Kharkiv region, Mrs. Nadiya Pavlivna’s story is a testament to the impact of Razom Relief’s initiatives. Faced with a harsh winter and broken windows in her house, she felt hopeless. However, with Razom’s support, Nove Misto replaced her windows, bringing warmth and comfort back to her home.

“Life in the village of Tsupivka has never been easy, but recent years have turned it into a real challenge. My house has suffered serious damage and was deteriorating with each day. Winter was approaching, and the windows were broken. I lost hope that I would be able to change anything because my resources were limited. One day, I discovered the Nove Misto and Razom’s project. Their team arrived and replaced the windows, bringing back warmth and comfort to my home. The gratitude I feel cannot be expressed in words. This is not just a window replacement, it is a return of home and hope.”

In another impactful case, after Mrs. Lyubov Fedorivna’s home was damaged by shelling, she struggled to survive the cold and drafts. Nove Misto not only replaced her windows but also provided building materials, food, and hygiene kits – essential resources for maintaining dignity and moving forward with her life.

“After the shelling in our village of Prudyanka, my life stopped. My small house, which was my fortress, was damaged by shelling. Living in such conditions, in the cold and drafts, was almost impossible. I prayed every day for a miracle, and one day my prayers were answered. When representatives of Nove Misto came to me, I could hardly believe in the reality of their help. They not only replaced the damaged windows, but also provided building materials for repairs, as well as food and hygiene kits that were so needed.

From now on, looking through the new clean windows, I see not only the village, but also a bright future. Words of gratitude sound in my heart every day.”

Razom x Nabutok

Razom is also partnering with Nabutok, a volunteer-driven organization providing indispensable support to Ukrainians on the front lines and in war-torn areas of eastern Ukraine. Since April 2022, they have delivered over 300 tons of humanitarian aid, making 82 trips to deliver critical supplies to these regions.

“We cannot stand aside,” says Serhiy, the head of Nabutok. “Thanks to partnerships like this, we’ve helped evacuate a lot of families and provided vital resources to countless others.”

Razom awarded a grant to Nabutok to deliver essential winter supplies to families in Krasnohorivka, a frontline settlement in Donetsk Oblast. The grant funded the purchase and distribution of items like flashlights, warmers, power banks, firewood, and blankets, providing a lifeline to approximately 230 families.

Nabutok’s unwavering commitment inspires us all. Their dedication, along with the support of Razom and its donors, makes a tangible difference in the lives of Ukrainians facing immense hardship.

The fight for Ukraine continues, but Razom remains dedicated to working with organizations like Nove Misto, Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development and Nabutok who are providing life-saving assistance on the ground.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate: Your contributions allow Razom to continue supporting frontline communities and providing essential supplies.
Spread Awareness: Share this story and others like it to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Stay Informed: Visit the Razom website for regular updates and opportunities to get involved.

Together, we can stand with the courageous people of Ukraine and ensure they have the resources they need.

We invite you to learn more and support Razom’s Relief Program.

Investing in Ukraine’s Future: Razom’s Commitment to Education and Innovation

Published: November 29, 2023

Razom is proud to support education in Ukraine. We are passionate about investing in the country’s talented youth, the future generation of professionals set to lead with innovation, drive positive change, and contribute to global advancements.

Recently, Razom sponsored the first, in-person school of mathematics for students in grades 1-6 and 10th grade, held in the Kyiv region at the end of October. This one-week event brought together 80 participants and featured not only intensive math sessions but also master classes, talent shows, chess tournaments and sports activities.

In the words of one participant, the atmosphere created by the teachers made math irresistible.. Onsite math schools are vital, providing face-to-face learning that fosters stronger connections and faster progress compared to remote alternatives.

The event was organized by Tsyfra, one of Kyiv’s finest math clubs dedicated to providing supplementary mathematical education and nurturing scientific thinking among primary and secondary students. With disciplines like math, mathematical logic, physics/natural science and chess, Tsyfra educates through study groups, emphasizing problem-solving via lectures, seminars, games, and theoretical analyses.

The center’s commitment to academic excellence is evident through consistently high results in various Olympiads and competitions, as students continue to excel, even amidst the challenges of war.

At Razom, our mission is to continue fostering democracy and prosperity in Ukraine, and we believe supporting education is a key, long term strategy to manifest this purpose. We proudly recognize the dedicated teachers shaping the minds of Ukrainian children, and the students who persevere in their studies. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our amazing sponsors, whose generosity makes these programs possible. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter future in Ukraine.

We invite you to learn more and support Razom’s Relief Program, of which Razom Ticket is a part.

Rebuilding Together: Sturdy Roofs for Winter

Published: November 16, 2023

Russia’s full-scale invasion left the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, including villages like Prudianka, Tsypivka, Brazhkivka, and Mala Komyshuvakha, along with the city of Izium, deeply scarred. With winter approaching, damaged roofs leave homes vulnerable to the elements. Recognizing the urgent need for shelter before winter, Razom under the auspices of our Relief Program, provided grants to Volonterska UA, Nove Misto and World foundation for Ukraine, to undertake the crucial task of rebuilding roofs.

Over the past 6 months, these communities bore the brunt of extensive damage: 90% of buildings destroyed, direct hits from unexploded ordnance, and the aftermath of shelling and explosive waves. Basic necessities became a luxury, with villages located up to 30 kilometers away from major roads, rendering them practically inaccessible. With shops, pharmacies, schools, and hospitals non-operational, the challenges were immense.

Despite these adversities, the resilient spirit of the people prevailed, and many chose to return to their villages post-de-occupation. However, the issue of housing reconstruction remained unaddressed, leaving damaged houses vulnerable to the harsh winter conditions. Mold, deteriorating ceilings, and cracked walls served as poignant reminders of the pressing need for immediate action.

United in purpose, Razom together with Volonterska UA, Nove Misto and World foundation for Ukraine have set their focus on repairing roofs and installing windows, with a clear goal: to secure homes before the unforgiving winter sets in. This ongoing project, now one and a half months underway, extends its reach to both the rural villages and the city of Izium, where over 100 private houses suffered significant damage.

Numbers Tell the Story:

Volonterska UA

People Helped: 151 individuals

Houses Restored: 30

People Still to Help: 10 families, 20 individuals (including 2 children)

Nove Misto

Targeted Houses: 24

People to Help: 45 individuals

World foundation for Ukraine

Targeted Houses: 12

The project is advancing steadily. Purchasing materials and completing repairs will span the next three months, ensuring the job is done thoroughly. Together, we’re not just rebuilding roofs; we’re restoring hope and resilience to the heart of Kharkiv and Kherson.

We invite you to learn more and support Razom’s Relief Program.

We Are Stronger Together (Razom Syl’nishi)

Published: October 2, 2023

We at Razom believe that the best results can be achieved when organizations work together. This is why we not only strive to provide grants to Ukrainian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) but also empower them by sharing best practices, collaborating, and learning from each other.

In May, Razom Relief traveled to Ukraine to be able to do exactly that. We organized a two-day meeting in Lviv for over 60 civil society organizations from across Ukraine to come together.

“The goal of the meeting was to have organizations get to know each other, share their experiences, and create organizational networks across regions,” Anna Solovei, the Director of Razom Relief program, said. “From the start, one of our aims was to build a community of civic organizations, which so far existed only in the common chat where we invite all our grantees.”

During the meeting, partners had a chance to learn nonprofit management best practices from fellow Razom grantees.

Kateryna Lutsyk represented NGO “Zakhyst” from Khmelnystkyi — the organization opened a social space that offers comprehensive support to internally displaced people, including psychological and legal help, housing assistance, and career development. Over the course of a year, the organization supported over 12,000 internally displaced people (IDP), and at the event, Kateryna shared the approaches that helped “Zakhyst” to be effective in their work.

Kateryna Terekhova of IT Troops shared how she used a small grant of less than $30,000 from Razom to efficiently restore an abandoned school into a shelter that can host up to 60 IDPs.

Our friends from Building Ukraine Together (BUR) shared with participants how they work with and engage their volunteers. From 2014 to 2022, the organization has engaged more than 6,000 young people to restore houses with a social purpose and, throughout 2023, hopes to engage 6,000 more volunteers to help rebuild Ukraine. The BUR team also discussed the organization’s brand development and social media strategy.

Nataliia Kidyba, a BUR representative, said that it was amazing to see a huge community of passionate people whom Razom supports.

Kidyba said that the meeting was structured in such a way as to allow each organization to reveal more about themselves so that they could find ways to support each other. During the events, BUR met some of the organizations it had helped previously and received a couple of proposals to work together in the future.

Our partners also participated in two working group events — one based on the organization’s geographic region and the other based on the sphere of work. By getting to know each other, discussing their challenges and solutions, and brainstorming ideas, our partners form networks in Ukraine that help them more efficiently support civilians during the war.

A visual representation of our participants’ feedback from the meeting

For many of our grantees, the meeting was inspiring and led to new ideas and connections. They enjoyed getting to know like-minded people in a cooperative environment.

Andrii Hrushevskyi from the NGO “Tepla Gora Foundation” said he was inspired by the event to increase the organization’s online presence, while Davyd Dzhalagonia from the charitable foundation “Help Group” said he learned how to interact with local government officials efficiently.

Vlad Samoilenko of “Hurkit” shared with Razom that during the event, he established many connections. The organization is able to help others with aid transportation and has agreed to provide humanitarian aid to another Razom grantee — International Development Center “Elpis”.

Several organizations that deliver help to front line areas created a separate chat to coordinate work and help each other.

These are just a few small stories from the meeting. Each connection or shared experience helps organizations become more efficient on the micro-level in their day-to-day operations — creating a big impact together. The results of this event became apparent in June after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. Our grantees were very effective in sharing information about the needs and coordinating aid deliveries.

RAZOM Relief Grantee Spotlight: Vaad of Ukraine

Published: September 15, 2023

After the full-scale invasion in early 2022, Joseph Zissels was evacuating families from the then-occupied Kyiv region and dropping them in shelters for internally displaced people (IDPs).

“I did not like that shelter, as nobody was caring for families there,” Zissels said, noting that all families had severe mental conditions. “They had food, a place to stay, but nothing to do, and were all extremely stressed.”

According to Zissels, about 20% of war-affected civilians develop post-traumatic stress disorder, but timely psychological support significantly reduces the risk.

With over 30 years leading Vaad of Ukraine— the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities — Joseph used its resources and connections with leading Ukrainian psychological institutions to launch “Recovery During the War.” This initiative provides intensive psychological rehabilitation for women and their children, particularly those who had stayed in occupied territories, endured heavy shelling, or suffered familial losses due to the war.

“Recovery During the War” is a three-week program, offering group and individual therapy for adults and children, art therapy, workshops, and hiking trips. Program sessions take place in a secure setting in the west of Ukraine, accommodating small groups of families.

Every session is unique and adapted to the specific needs of its participants. A week before the start, psychologists receive needed information and arrive at the location earlier to work on the specific program for the coming families.

Since May 2022, “Recovery During the War” has held 56 program sessions and supported 843 families (or almost two thousand individuals). RAZOM Relief provided $100,000 in grants to support seven camps.

The program is continually improving and growing.

In some cases, three weeks of psychological recovery aren’t sufficient. This year, Vaad partnered with psychological institutions to offer an ongoing, free online consultation course after in-person sessions for those who need it.

To manage thousands of requests, the program developed a screening process. Those not needing intense intervention get a “self-support package.” Some families receive online consultations, while those with the greatest needs join in-person sessions. Vaad has also teamed up with 10 qualified psychiatrists to enhance rehabilitation. When therapists deem it necessary, these psychiatrists provide supplementary support.

Following the invasion, the demand for psychological recovery is high in Ukraine. Since the start of the program, 374 psychologists and 56 art therapists have contributed, helping participants and gaining valuable experience for the nation’s ongoing recovery. Vaad constantly organizes seminars and training with international specialists to further develop the skills of psychologists, therapists, and volunteers.

This past August, with the support of RAZOM, the program started a new project-session working with women who suffered conflict-related sexual violence in occupied territories or in captivity.

One participant, Halyna, volunteered to help Ukrainian service persons and orphanages for eight years. Under occupation and fearing for her safety and that of her adopted one-year-old son Sashko, who had cerebral palsy, brain damage, and severe cataracts, she sought refuge in a small village near Kherson, where she would not be recognized as a volunteer.

Despite the risks, Halyna continued humanitarian efforts in the village and coordinated the essential aid delivery from free territories. Her active work led occupiers to capture and torture her.

The local families confirmed she was solely helping children, yet before Russians let Halyna go, they committed sexual violence against her. Following her release, Halyna and her son left the occupied territories still under attack.

“Work(ing) with psychologists was useful — they taught me to look differently at things…This project gave me new strength to live and fight further. I understand there is a lot of work to be done, but there are people ready to help, and I am grateful to them,” Halyna said.

After the program, she will be helping Sashko get on his feet and plans to visit Bakhmut and Kherson to continue supporting Ukrainian civilians and servicepersons.

Natalia, another participant in the session, was trapped with her two children for six months under occupation in the Donetsk region as Russians did not let people leave. She constantly feared for her two children and often did not know how she would feed them, commenting, “If the shell does not kill them, starvation can.”

Natalia said her children had heavy, adult-like questions and thoughts following the occupation. While in the program, they had a chance to work through their trauma with qualified child therapists.

It also became a space for Natalia to connect with understanding individuals.

“People who did not go through it do not know what was happening to us [in the occupied territories]. But here, in the program, everybody has their own similar story — all somewhat different, but equally painful.”

The program helped Natalia to improve her sleep and calm down. She discovered comfort in fabric drawing and intends to continue the practice post-session.

Joseph Zissels is compassionate and philosophical saying, “Life constantly gets harder [in Ukraine], and we must adapt. We make our program more complex to address the need.”

The psychological rehabilitation program is vital for the functioning of Ukrainian society during and after the war. There are thousands more people on Vaad’s waitlist and it constantly grows.

To increase capabilities, the program needs more funding and support, which is only possible with your help. Please donate to RAZOM today.

Anton Ptushkin and Razom Heroes Host Fundraiser for Mobile Shower Units

Published: August 9, 2023

Razom together with the famous Ukrainian travel blogger Anton Ptushkin, held a fundraiser in the United States to purchase 10 mobile bath and laundry complexes for the defenders of Ukraine on the front lines.

The fundraiser included two charity meetings with Anton Ptushkin in New York, which drew over 300 attendees, as well as an online auction where people could purchase valuable commemorative items to support the defenders of Ukraine.

Some of the items up for auction included:

A flag with the signatures of three Ukrainian generals — Zaluzhny, Syrsky, and Pavlyuk — which sold for $6,900.
A copy of Time magazine with Valery Zaluzhny on the cover and his autograph, which sold for $5,600.
A baseball bat signed by members of the New York Yankees baseball team, which sold for $3,700.
A bracelet with the “Azovstal” logo and the signature of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, which sold for $2,600.
Chevrons with the image of Patron the Dog, the hero dog who helped detect landmines in Ukraine, which sold for $3,700.

“Before I came to the United States, I tried to raise funds for one bath and laundry complex through my social media in Ukraine,” said Anton Ptushkin. “I was surprised to raise the money we needed in just two hours, and I raised the money for the second complex just within a day. This showed me that Ukrainians are willing to donate to humanitarian items for the military. However, people in Ukraine are also willing to donate to weapons and drones, while American people are more cautious about donating to these things and prefer to donate to humanitarian items. This is why I decided to try to raise money for mobile bath and laundry complexes in the United States. We did our first fundraiser and it was a success, so we decided to continue.”

Ptushkin also said that he chose New York as the starting point for the fundraiser because there is a large Ukrainian diaspora in the city. Jason Birchard, an owner of famous New York restaurant Veselka, generously donated $20,000 from his Stand With Ukraine Fund to the event.

Overall, the fundraiser raised $200,000, which will be used to purchase 10 mobile bath and laundry complexes. The showers are currently being manufactured near Kyiv and will soon be delivered to the front lines.

“It’s great to see that people from all over the world are coming together to support Ukraine,” said Olya Yarichkivska, one of the founders of the Razom foundation and the head of the Razom Heroes program in the United States.

“The money raised from this fundraiser will provide our defenders with much-needed bathing and laundry facilities, which are essential in this hot weather. We will continue to do everything we can to support Ukraine and its defenders.”

The Razom Heroes program is one of the many initiatives of the Razom foundation and the “Together for Ukraine” non-profit that are providing vital assistance to the defenders of Ukraine.

The program has already provided the frontline with over 130,000 tactical first aid kits, 3,000 combat medic backpacks, 100 pickup trucks/evacuation vehicles, 2,000 drones, walkie-talkies, repeaters, generators, starlinks, and other essential items for victory.

Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall Invests $1 Million to Razom for Ukraine and Partner Organizations to Support Ukraine

Published: April 6, 2022

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Twitter co-founder and Block Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman Jack Dorsey, donates $1 million through his philanthropic initiative, #StartSmall, to support Ukraine and deliver critical humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Following the russian invasion, Ukrainian-American non-profit, Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, quickly mobilized an emergency response to deliver critical humanitarian aid including tactical medical supplies, hospital supplies, and tech-enabled emergency response supplies that facilitate the delivery of this aid. This generous donation will help to continue supporting Ukraine during this critical time.

Since russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Razom has sent close to 200+ tons of tactical medical equipment and critical medical supplies to Ukraine, with many more on the way. Razom volunteers have made a total of 14 trips carrying tactical medicine cargo to various volunteer civilian defense corps prioritizing cities and regions where Ukrainians are actively repelling russian occupiers. These regions include Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, and Odessa.

Razom has scaled its operations significantly since February and continues to expand its capabilities in delivering critical humanitarian aid. To deliver aid in Ukraine, Razom collaborates with partners on the ground such as Kryla Nadiyi (Wings of Hope), Euromaidan-Warszava, and Ukrainian Education Platform.

Here’s an overview of some of Razom’s impact in the first 30 days of the war in Ukraine:

Razom spent more than $10.5M with over $5.8M going towards procuring and delivering tactical medicine and tacmed equipment.
- Razom procures, on average, 10,000 tourniquets per week (worth over $250,000/week) from the most reputable suppliers buying CAT, SOF-T and/or SAM brands. In life-or-death situations, tourniquets stop arterial bleeding so the quality of this single-use device matters. They continue to be the most sought-after and requested forms of aid across Ukraine.
- Thanks to Razom’s strong ties to communities and professionals on the ground in Ukraine, Razom has been able to learn of exact needs quickly and act on specific requests that can make a big difference. For example: SAM splints. Razom procured over 3,100 of them for $56,100, designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings.
- Purchased over 10,300 chest seals for over $58,000, procured through Ukrainians in the U.S. and Canada, as the supply of chest seals has been completely depleted in North America, through July. Razomers found contacts in Australia and the U.K to buy over 6,000 chest seals.
- A group of about 15 volunteers worked around the clock to sort and pack aid for shipment overseas. In one week’s time, they put together 3,000+ IFAKs in Razom’s New Jersey warehouse, in partnership with Meest-America. These first aid kids are designed to treat traumatic injuries and severe bleeding.
Procured a defibrillator, insulin, and other important medicines like metformin, glimepiride, levothyroxine that was delivered to the Ukrainian Diabetes Association in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Luhansk regions. Razom accomplished this in partnership with volunteers at AWO Ortsverein Reischach – AG and Ukraine-HILFE Berlin e.V.
Delivered 100 drones across the Polish border that will be used to ensure the safe delivery of medical and tactical medical supplies by Razom volunteers traveling across hotspot areas in Ukraine.
Evacuated 32 different families (making up 91 individuals) from ten cities and regions of Ukraine.
Ran and/or hosted hundreds of events in support of Ukraine in the United States and Canada and conducted hundreds of advocacy interviews in the US and Canadian press.

“Donations come in many forms, both large and small, and we are beyond grateful to Jack Dorsey and #StartSmall for this incredible contribution. We’re also excited to see support for a number of organizations we’ve been working with for years, including Sunflowers of Peace and Nova Ukraine, who are doing critically important work in Ukraine. Our emergency response and mission right now is focused on one thing: to save lives in Ukraine, and this contribution has already helped us do just that,” said Dora Chomiak, President of Razom.

Razom has focused most of its efforts during this time on delivering aid where it is needed most – on the ground in Ukraine. Razom’s overall mission is to build a more prosperous Ukraine.

ABOUT RAZOM

Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is committed to building a prosperous Ukraine. The organization believes deeply in the enormous potential of dedicated volunteers around the world united by a single mission: building a more prosperous Ukraine. Established in the United States, the non-profit organization works towards that mission by creating spaces where people meet, partner and do. In this time of need, they have created the Razom Emergency Response which is focused on purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss and other tactical medicine items, hospital supplies, and tech enabled emergency response supplies that facilitate the delivery of this aid. Razom’s procurement and logistics teams are made up of a trusted volunteer network they’ve nurtured since 2014 and partner organizations worldwide. Razom is also working with governments and embassies on helping to establish humanitarian corridors.

ABOUT #STARTSMALL

#StartSmall is Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative to fund global COVID-19 relief, girls health and education, and efforts towards Universal Basic Income. Dorsey transferred $1 billion (28% of his wealth) to #StartSmall in 2020.

Contacts

Press

Nonna Tsiganok

Media Relations, Razom

nonna@razomforukraine.org

Mothers’ March, Mariupol Flashmob, and Flag Raising: Razom’s Advocacy Work for Ukraine

Published: March 27, 2022

Razom has been calling on international leaders and U.S. elected representatives to #CloseTheSky, get #PlanesForUkraine, and #IsolateRussia. To all of you that have come out to a rally, a picket, dialed through a telethon, tweeted up a storm, or engaged your friends and family in discussion on how they can stand with Ukraine, we are immensely grateful. Thanks to our network of volunteers and partner organizations in Ukraine, we promise to continue to keep our ear to the ground to advocate for what will make a difference in healing the humanitarian crisis brought on by russia’s invasion.

As of March 27, there are over 130 children that have been killed as a result of russian bombs and missiles targeting civilians in Ukraine. Let that number sink in. Ukraine is paying a high price in its continued fight for freedom that is a fight for the entire free world. The Mothers’ March took place in New York City over two days the week of March 21 to raise awareness about children being targeted by russian bombs and missiles. Mariupol, a city in southeastern Ukraine, in particular has been a poignant example of this after the Drama Theater (sheltering over 1,000 women and children) was targeted and bombed by russian forces and left without food or water for days due to continued shelling in the area, making rescue operations nearly impossible.

#SaveUkrainianChildren Mothers’ March on March 19 2022

Razom volunteers organized a flashmob at New York’s Grand Central Station during the same week to bring attention to the death toll in the city of Mariupol, a port town similar in population size to Virginia Beach in the U.S. We showed up to deliver our message to #SaveMariupol so that it was carried home across the tristate area by everyone who walked by.

Flashmob at New York’s Grand Central Station on March 23, 2022

That same day on March 23rd, the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams and Ukraine’s General Consul in New York, Oleksii Holubov, joined us for his address to the Ukrainian-American community and friends of Ukraine at the raising of the Ukrainian and American flags at historic Bowling Green in lower Manhattan, a location that holds a lot of historical significance for the United States’ own fight for independence. From Bowling Green, General Washington witnessed the last British troops leave American soil and the American flag raised on its own. Bowling Green later became the first public park in the U.S. It’s the only place in New York City where flags are raised from all over the world, as has been done hundreds of times since 1996.

After a little over a month of this war, don’t let apathy set in. The Ukrainian flag at Bowling Green won’t come down until Ukraine is victorious. And Ukraine will be victorious. Make it happen sooner: keep showing up when it matters.

New York has the largest Ukrainian population outside of Ukraine and we are proud of that energy and spirit. Any conflict that plays out on a global scale, plays out on the streets of New York City… Today we are united, we stand with you, we are part of the Ukrainian people in saying that we will never surrender, never give in.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaking at the raising of Ukrainian & American flags at Bowling Green