YMCA RESPONDS TO THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE

TOGETHER, WE CARE

YMCAs across the U.S. express solidarity and concern for the young people, families, and communities who are directly impacted by the crisis currently unfolding in Ukraine.

Bombing, fighting, and internal displacement have escalated throughout Ukraine, impacting the National Council in Kyiv and local YMCAs throughout the country. Many YMCA staff and volunteers have left the country or fled their homes. There are now more than 10,000 civilian casualties and more than 1.7 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, this is now the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. YMCA Europe and YMCA of the USA are in daily contact with national and local leaders from YMCA Ukraine.

YMCA of the USA’s World Service Campaign is working in coordination with YMCA Ukraine, YMCA Europe, and the World YMCA to help people and communities who are impacted by the conflict. YMCA Europe has already disbursed emergency funds to YMCAs in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine in support of the emergency services they are providing to refugees fleeing Ukraine and internally displaced people inside Ukraine.

Please consider making a gift at https://www.ymca.org/Crisis-in-Ukraine to provide emergency support to YMCA Ukraine. Your gift provides:

• Emergency support, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, and psychosocial counseling for Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people (including Y staff and volunteers) in Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
• Support for the Ukraine YMCA response efforts in the country if/when the situation permits.
• Coordination of regional response efforts and local, national, and regional partnerships.
• Support to re-establish long-term peace and reconciliation.

The Y USA continues to provide updates from our YMCA colleagues in affected areas. To learn more, visit https://www.ymca.org/Crisis-in-Ukraine