Ukraine Emergency Updates

Ukraine Emergency Updates

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Federation is closely attuned to the news and updates from the region. Federation and our partners remain deeply committed to meeting the critical needs of Ukraine’s more than 200,000 Jews. To support these efforts, please donate to Federation’s Ukraine Emergency Fund.

Ukrainian Jews in Need

The needs — and costs to meet them — continue to grow as the Russian invasion continues. 100% of the funds raised through our Ukraine Emergency Fund will support Ukraine’s Jewish community.

  • Providing housing, clothing, medication, cash assistance, mental health services, security, and transportation for refugees fleeing the war and those seeking to make Aliyah.
  • Expediting the rapid Aliyah of those individuals or families who wish to move to Israel and facilitating their absorption on arrival.
  • Ensuring the secure evacuation of individuals under immediate threat or where active hostilities are already taking place.
  • Safeguarding the security of Jewish communal facilities and Jewish individuals, whether in their home communities or temporary accommodations.
  • Trauma-focused therapy and emotional first-aid training for those helping refugees outside of Ukraine, as well as for mental health professionals treating patients inside of Ukraine.
  • Supporting delegations of medical professionals on the ground in neighboring countries who are treating incoming refugees and providing support to the Ukrainian health system.
  • Providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Israel.

Our Impact

We are tremendously grateful to the 2,800+ community members who have already generously donated more than $1.5 million to directly help those in need in Ukraine. Together, we are making a difference.

As of April 7th, funds have already provided the following impact:

  • 12,100 refugees have been fed and housed
  • 7,000 refugees have received on-the-ground support in Ukraine
  • 5,500+ Jewish Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Israel
  • 7,800 beds have been rented
  • 55,000+ calls have been received at various hotlines
  • Served as the lifeline for 18,000 Jewish elderly and 2,500 poor Jewish children

Federation in the News

From March 13th to Match 15th, Federation CEO, Gil Preuss, represented the Greater Washington Jewish Community in Poland and at the Ukraine broader during one of the first Jewish Federations of North America humanitarian missions to the region. Equipped with two suitcases of donated supplies for those in need. Gil met with volunteers working on the ground, and with Ukrainian refugees — the majority of whom are women, children, and the elderly — to hear their experiences and offer help.

While on the ground, Gil provided updates to news outlets about what he was seeing and how our community could help.

Gil Represents Greater Washington in Poland and on Ukraine’s Border: Early Monday morning on March 14th, Gil arrived in Poland for one of the first Jewish Federations of North America humanitarian missions to Ukraine equipped with two suitcases of donated supplies for those in need. Gil met with volunteers working on the ground, and with Ukrainian refugees — the majority of whom are women, children, and the elderly — to hear their experiences and offer help. Read Gil’s updates on Twitter and watch his video message.

Updates From Our Partners

We are grateful to our longtime global partners – JDC, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and World ORT – for their swift work on the ground to care for those in the midst of this unfolding trauma. Please read on for their ongoing updates on the situation.

As Jews flee the growing violence in Ukraine, JDC is providing thousands of refugees safe harbor in neighboring countries, with thousands more expected as the war continues.
Watch the video

Aliyah flight from Ukraine_Eli Mandelbaum for The Jewish Agency for Israel
Photographer: Eli Mandelbaum

Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, welcomed Jewish orphans who escaped the war in Ukraine.
Read the story

Jewish refugees leaving Warsaw for Israel Olivier Fitoussi for The Jewish Agency for Israel March 6 2022
Photographer: Olivier Fitoussi

Long bus rides, temporary shelters and lots of phone calls: Inside the Jewish response to the mounting refugee crisis in Poland.
Read the story

Holocaust survivors are particularly vulnerable during times of war, and JDC is providing vital support to those with nowhere else to turn.
Watch the video

The Jewish Federations of North America

The Jewish Federations of North America will be holding two Ukraine Crisis Update webinars each week, on Mondays and Thursdays at 4:30 PM ET. REGISTER NOW.

The Jewish Agency for Israel

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)