The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine remains one of the most severe globally. Driven by the ongoing conflict, it has displaced millions, disrupted essential services, and inflicted significant economic and social hardship. Critical infrastructure—like hospitals, schools, and water facilities—has been damaged, leaving communities in urgent need of assistance.
As the crisis impacts urban and rural areas, many Ukrainians face challenges in accessing necessities such as food, shelter, medical supplies, and psychological support.
This situation has created a pressing demand for local and international volunteer support to address widespread needs effectively.
Types of Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering in Ukraine can take on various forms, depending on the needs of the affected communities and the skills and availability of volunteers. While some roles require a physical presence to provide direct aid, others can be done from afar, allowing people worldwide to contribute to the cause.
On-the-Ground Support
On-the-ground volunteering involves being physically present in Ukraine to provide hands-on support, such as distributing essential supplies, offering shelter, delivering medical assistance, and helping with refugee care. Organizations such as Razom for Ukraine and UNICEF coordinate these efforts, placing volunteers in health services, transportation, and child protection roles. Volunteers who work on-site play a crucial role in delivering medical supplies, organizing housing, and managing food and water resources to aid those affected.
Remote and Online Volunteering
For those unable to travel, remote volunteering offers meaningful ways to assist from anywhere in the world. Many international organizations offer remote roles in translation, digital support, fundraising, and social media advocacy, which enable volunteers to help without being physically present. These remote roles are valuable for advocacy efforts and keeping the global community informed, essential to sustaining international support. Opportunities like these are available through platforms like UNICEF’s Volunteer Platform, where volunteers can lend their skills to make a difference.
5 Ways to Volunteer in Ukraine
There are numerous impactful ways to volunteer for Ukraine, each offering a unique way to support and aid needy communities. Here are five main approaches for those eager to make a difference.
- Choose the Right Organization
Selecting an established humanitarian organization to work with is essential for a meaningful and secure volunteer experience. Trusted groups like UNICEF, the UN Volunteer Program, and Transform Ukraine offer structured volunteer roles and resources to ensure your contributions reach the communities that need them most. For instance, UNICEF’s National Volunteer Platform connects volunteers with hundreds of local initiatives focusing on distributing food, providing psychological support, and aiding displaced families. Transform Ukraine provides unique programs, such as the Tiny Homes Project, which offers sustainable housing for displaced families, and the Sister Church Program, which aids local churches in delivering food and psychological services. Working with recognized organizations provides volunteers with the necessary training, resources, and support.
- Medical and Humanitarian Volunteering
Volunteering in medical and humanitarian fields is another critical way to support Ukraine, addressing vulnerable communities’ immediate and long-term needs. Organizations like Transform Ukraine, the UN Volunteer Program, and Direct Relief coordinate volunteer roles that provide essential medical care and humanitarian aid. Transform Ukraine’s Tiny Homes Project offers displaced families a stable environment and access to healthcare, and partnerships with local churches provide food, psychological support, and community resources to vulnerable populations. Medical volunteers must also work with organizations like Direct Relief, which partners with Ukraine’s Ministry of Health to deliver emergency medical supplies. These roles ensure that urgent medical needs are met and communities have access to resources for recovery.
- Remote and Online Volunteering
Remote and online volunteering enables individuals worldwide to contribute to Ukraine’s humanitarian efforts from wherever they are. Organizations like Transform Ukraine offer various online roles that leverage digital skills, significantly impacting the field. Digital support volunteers assist with technical needs, like managing databases and organizing information, which helps maintain efficient workflows for organizations coordinating large-scale operations. Translation services are also in high demand, with fluent speakers of Ukrainian, Russian, and English helping bridge language gaps for medical information, legal documents, and news. Social media advocates are essential in raising awareness by sharing updates, encouraging donations, and educating others about Ukraine’s needs.
- Fundraising and Advocacy
Fundraising and advocacy are powerful ways to support Ukraine, provide financial resources, and spread awareness about the ongoing crisis. Many humanitarian organizations, including Transform Ukraine, rely on volunteer-driven fundraising to meet project costs, such as housing materials and essential utilities. Volunteers can organize crowdfunding events, community drives, or digital campaigns to support Ukraine directly. Advocacy is vital in keeping Ukraine’s crisis in the public eye, encouraging broader participation in relief efforts. Volunteers share stories and updates through social media to build a community of allies and motivate others to contribute. Volunteers provide essential backing for Ukrainian communities through these efforts, fostering immediate relief and long-term stability.
- Working with Children and Families
Supporting children and families is one of the most critical volunteer areas, focusing on those most vulnerable during the crisis. Many families face displacement, food insecurity, and trauma, creating an urgent need for volunteers to offer direct support and emotional assistance.
Providing Direct Support for Children and Families
Organizations like UNICEF and Transform Ukraine provide family-oriented services, such as safe spaces for children, basic necessities, and counseling resources. Transform Ukraine collaborates with local partners to set up community centers where displaced families can access essential services and support. Volunteers in this area may help distribute supplies, organize activities, and assist families in navigating available resources. Child-friendly spaces are crucial for providing children with normalcy and security, which are vital for their emotional well-being during challenging times.
Psychological and Educational Support
The psychological impact of conflict on children and families is profound, which is why organizations offer trauma recovery support as part of their initiatives. Programs often provide psychological first aid, support groups, and resilience-building activities. Due to the conflict, many children also lack access to formal education, making educational support essential. Volunteers may assist in setting up temporary learning spaces or provide tutoring, which helps children continue developing their skills despite the crisis. By supporting children and families, volunteers not only address immediate needs but also help lay the foundation for long-term stability and recovery within these communities.
Be the Change Ukraine Needs
Right now, you have the power to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by crisis in Ukraine. Through Transform Ukraine’s partnership with One Collective, your skills and compassion can bring hope to communities rebuilding their lives.
Your Impact Awaits
Imagine:
- Bringing joy to displaced children through vibrant summer and winter camps
- Helping families find stability by building new homes for those who’ve lost everything
- Saving lives alongside medical teams in pop-up clinics serving vulnerable communities
- Inspiring the next generation as an English language conversation partner in universities and high schools
- Supporting heroic local partners who’ve been tirelessly serving their communities
Why Join Now?
Our partnership with One Collective ensures you’ll have:
- Comprehensive training to prepare you for service
- Robust logistical support throughout your mission
- Professional security measures to keep you safe
- Full insurance coverage for peace of mind
Make It Your Own
Whether you have a week or several months to give, we can help design an experience that matches your skills with Ukraine’s most pressing needs. Join as an individual or bring your own team – there’s a place for everyone in this vital mission.
Take the First Step
Contact Doug Landro, Ukraine Director of One Collective:
