The invasion of Ukraine affects everyone. There are people reading this who have been deeply affected on a very personal level, and people who are removed, who see it on the news but simply can’t relate to what others are going through. There are people reading this who are fueled by what is happening, driven to take action, and there are people who are frightened and feeling helpless. And of course many people in between. Whatever you are feeling, your reaction is valid, and okay. There is something you can do.

First things first

First and foremost, if you need to, you should take care of yourself. I hope simply reading this article and knowing there are people acting, will help you. Second, know that if you are able to act and are comfortable doing so you should learn about what is going on and what you can do, you can.

The first issue we want to address here is knowing where to start when you want to act. This is often the hardest part. The first thing to do is engage in the discourse, however you are most comfortable. For most this will simply mean talking about it, asking questions, expressing feelings and opinions. For some it will just mean listening, being in the room and hearing what is said. And for others it will mean leading, starting the conversation, holding the discussions and driving it forward. 

This is the first piece of action you can take: organise a call. With your team, with your colleagues, just to check in, to vocalise your feelings. Bring in HR if you need, but if you are a leader make sure voices are heard and listened to. 

Learn

Once the discussion has started, the way you can start to contribute the most, regardless of how you want to contribute, is by being informed. This could mean listening to the news, or listening to people and their problems. The important thing is that you understand what’s going on, and where you want to help. 

For example, if you don’t feel comfortable donating to causes, or the news terrifies you, but you want to help by being there for your friends and colleagues, then listen to them. Make time to hear their problems, try to understand, and then move on to the next step. 

Another example would be if you’re driven to do something, to contribute, to make a difference and do something, then do the reading. Listen to the news, search around the internet for other people like you or causes you can get behind and then move onto the next step.

Calculate

Stop and think. Doing something is likely better than doing nothing right now so by all means if you feel inspired, do. But you can have more of an impact for yourself and on the issue by doing the right thing. 

Start the discussion, understand the problem, and think about how you can have the most impact on what you care about the most. What do you care about the most? What part of the problem do you relate to the most? There are many international organisations involved in supporting Ukrainians, who have experience managing on-the-ground crises. When considering how you want to help, think about what you’re doing in the wider context. For example, driving to the border with food could result in adding to traffic jams, or using a much-needed hotel room. 

If it’s the families on the ground, find a charity or support network to lend your resources to. If its the refugees, find a charity or a support network to lend your resources. If its the lack of awareness in the rest of the world, take to the internet and raise awareness. If you think your country could be doing more to help, write letters, emails, and blog posts calling your local politicians to take action. You get the idea.

Act

Now what you came for. What can you do to help? So much, you can do so much to contribute to the solution and have your own impact.

1. Talk to your friends and families and colleagues

   • Just raising your hand and talking about the situation is a step in the right direction. Pretending it doesn’t exist and ignoring it helps nobody. 

2. Read up

   • Get informed, watch, list, or read the news, or go online and hear from the people who are affected most. Level up your knowledge so you can better understand and communicate about the problem. Pick your favourite news outlet and educate.

   • Or there’s Ukraine Now, a resource with information about how you can volunteer and host refugees. They run a slack channel where you can get up to date information and immediate replies.

https://www.ukrainenow.org/

2. Check-in

   • If you know or know of someone who has been affected, reach out to them. Just saying something helps, reach out, tell them that you are there.

3. Support

   • If you know someone who’s made it their mission to help, maybe they’re going to the border to help with crossings or part of protests somewhere in your country, support them too, let them know you support what they’re doing.  

4. Donate

   • There are numerous reputable charities and NGOs out there that are lending their support and resources directly. Donating to their causes, especially the ones that most resonate with you can really help.

   • Send crypto to the official Ukrainian government wallet

2. Hire

   • Thousands of talented creative and technical professionals are left without jobs or income. Hire for Ukraine is an initiative aiming to make it easier for them to find new quality jobs or projects.

   • If you’re looking for something, whether that’s a service, a product or as a recruiter, a candidate, you can browse submitted profiles in your field of interest.

   • If you are or know a Ukrainian professional who’s been affected, create a profile on the website.

   • If you just want to help, please share this resource with affected Ukrainians who are seeking work. The project was launched yesterday and is just getting the word out. Follow them on Twitter.

3. Host

   • If you live in Poland, Germany, Hungary, or Romania—host a refugee.

2. Tech

   • There’s all sorts of problems out there on the most granular level that can be addressed or could be dealt with but aren’t being because, of course, priorities. If you have the right set of skills or are willing to learn try tech for ukraine.

3. A few other simple and straightforward actions you can take:

Then what?

Then, once you’ve learnt, you’ve thought and you’ve acted, keep paying attention. Keep talking about what’s going on, raising awareness, and lending your support to the people who are most affected by the conflict. 

So far, I think, the response in Europe has been good, the west is trying to unite, even famously neutral countries are joining the effort. But we don’t know what will happen, that’s why it’s important to educate ourselves, to pay attention and to do what we can for the people whose lives have been turned upside down.