WTF is Happening in Ukraine?

As a personal rule, I try not to get too political with this blog. My general mission is to provide the five people who read what I write with 4-6 minutes of pithy entertainment and some light introspection. However, when I sat down to write, focusing on anything but this felt vapid and ignorant. So here goes.

To begin, let’s get the name of this country correct. It is “Ukraine” not “The Ukraine.” Although many people still do it, it is incorrect to say “The Ukraine.” Ukraine declared its independence in 1991 and continually referring to the nation as “The Ukraine” is disrespectful, given that it refers to a time when Ukraine was still under Soviet Rule. Sources: Sam Kirk, Nexstar Media Wire; Wikipedia.

Although you may not have heard about it, this issue isn’t new. The unrest between these countries has actually been building for a really long time. In 2014, Russia warmed up by annexing Crimea. You can read more about what happened here. But the TLDR version is Russia took Crimea by force much the same way they are attempting with Ukraine right now. Several countries “condemned the annexation and considered it to be a violation of international law.” Economic sanctions were imposed against Russia, but seem to have had little effect. Source: Wikipedia.

Now, Russia is actively attacking Ukraine, from three sides; Belarus, Russia, and Crimea. In 2022, there are bombs dropping on civilians and children. This is truly terrifying.

I saw a post on social media that said, “If Russia stops fighting, there will be no war. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no more Ukraine.” Can you imagine waking up and sending your children to school…in a subway tunnel just in case there’s bombing? Can you imagine fleeing your home to seek refuge in another country? Can you imagine leaving your pet behind? Can you imagine leaving your spouse behind to fight and potentially die? I can’t. Donning PPE on the frontlines to support the pandemic effort is the closest I have come to fighting for my country, and it’s not even close.

But how do we help from half a world away? By supporting organizations that do good work (if you are financially able to).

Here's a list of organizations you can donate to:

• Charitable Foundation Voices of Children helps children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine.

• United Help Ukraine provides medical aid and humanitarian relief to Ukrainians.

• Revived Soldiers Ukraine (RSU) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing aid to the people of Ukraine

• Vostok-SOS is a comprehensive assistance to conflict-affected persons and IDPs, promoting democratic transformation and human rights values in Ukraine.

• Nova Ukraine is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about Ukraine and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

• Canadian Red Cross supports preparedness, immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced. The Government of Canada will match all eligible donations—not exceeding $100,000—made by individual Canadians to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal between February 24, 2022 and March 18, 2022, up to a maximum of $10 million.

• Come Back Alive is Ukraine’s largest army support foundation.

• World Central Kitchen works on the ground in Poland to support families fleeing Ukraine. They are serving thousands of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing home.

• Canada Ukraine Foundation was established to coordinate, develop, organize, and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine.

• UNHCR UN Refugee Agency - provides emergency aid to families in Ukraine. Your donation will be matched by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds — up to $1 million.

If you are not in a financial position that allows you to donate, please share information about what's happening in Ukraine (and across the world) and links to organizations doing good work. Now more than ever, we need to recognize that being safe and free is a privilege. Tell your people you love them.

Best,

Laura

Sources:

@So.Informed

@latimes

@canadaukrainefoundation