Leaders of Different Ethnic Organizations in the U.S. Unite in Support of Ukraine

Published: May 11, 2022   

(Originally published by Voice of America) // (Опубліковано в «Голосі Америки»)

Representatives of different U.S.-based ethnic organizations call on Congress to support additional financial aid to Ukraine, in the form of the 33 billion dollar emergency supplemental request announced by President Joe Biden on April 28, 2022. A corresponding call to action was made by activists during a press conference in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

The organizers of the event were local Ukrainian-American community organizations Razom for Ukraine and United Help Ukraine. Other US ethnic, religious, and human rights associations participated in the press conference. In particular, leaders of Polish, Baltic, Syrian, Afghan, and religious organizations were present.

“We, Poles and Polish-Americans, know very well the horrors of war–we’ve lived through this ourselves. And we also understand that the Ukrainians’ fight today is not only about their fight for their own country and their own freedom and sovereignty–which is very important–but also the fight for the freedom of all of Europe,” said Klara Wiśniewska, the spokeswoman for the Polish American Congress, in an interview with the Voice of America correspondent. She added “I am very happy to report that our organization has collected a quarter of a million dollars for displaced Ukrainians.”

Klara Wiśniewska, the spokeswoman for the Polish American Congress
Hurunnessa Fariad, Director of Outreach at Multi-faith Neighbors Network
Yaro Hetman, Senior Director of Innovation at Compassion International

According to the activists, most of the ethnic groups represented were forced to flee dictatorship and war in their own countries one time or another, so today they would like to unite in support of Ukraine. 

“The Syrian community, Muslim community, and all beleivers are with you. This is a “just war” – you are defending your country and your dignity. I’ve been to Lviv twice since the war began. Together with a team of doctors from my organization MedGlobal, we trained doctors and nurses in Ukraine. When Ukrainian doctors, officers, and representatives of the Ministry of Health learned that I had delivered medical aid in Syria, above all else they asked for us to prepare them for the probable use of chemical weapons,” commented Dr. Zaher Sahloul, representative of the American Coalition of Syria and President of MedGlobal (an international non-profit organization that provides medical services to the world’s most vulnerable groups).

Dr. Zaher Sahloul, representative of the American Coalition of Syria and President of MedGlobal
Director of Ops at Human First Coalition and AfghanEvac

During the press conference, organizers of the event announced the creation of an “American Coalition in Support of Ukraine,” which would unite different community groups in the U.S. Additionally, they announced the opening of Razom for Ukraine’s representative office in Washington, D.C.
“We have daily meetings with representatives, with politicians, so now we have official representation here in Washington – this is our first piece of news. The second – the creation of an American coalition in support of Ukraine. We want to unite all these people, communities, organizations, and institutions which already support Ukraine – so that we can cooperate together and have coordinated messaging, so that we can utilize all our channels to further the support of Ukraine,” announced Maryna Prykhodko, a Razom for Ukraine board member.

Представники різних етнічних груп, які проживають у Сполучених Штатах закликають Конгрес підтримати додаткову фінансову допомогу Україні, у розмірі 33 мільярдів доларів анонсовано президентом Джо Байденом 28-го квітня 2022. Відповідну заяву, активісти зробили в четвер 5-го травня під час акції навпроти Білого Дому, у Вашингтоні.

Організаторами події виступили місцеві американсько-українські громадські організації Razom for Ukraine та United Help Ukraine. До заяви також долучились етнічні, релігійні та правозахисні спільноти в США. Зокрема лідери польських, балтійських, сирійських, афганських та релігійних об’єднань.

“Ми, поляки та американські поляки, дуже добре знаємо жахи війни, ми самі це пережили. І ми також розуміємо, що нинішня боротьба українців – це не лише боротьба за свою країну за свою свободу та суверенітет, що дуже важливо, але це також боротьба за свободу усієї Європи, – розповідає кореспондентці Голосу Америки Клара Вишневська, представниця Польсько-американського конгресу у США і також додає, – Я рада повідомити, що наша організація зібрала чверть мільйона доларів для українських переселенців”.

За словами активістів, більшість етнічних груп у США були змушені тікати від диктатури, та війни у власних державах, тому сьогодні вони хочуть об’єднатись на підтримку України.

“Сирійська громада, мусульманська громада та усі віруючі люди – з вами. Це “справедлива війна”, – ви захищаєте свою країну і свою гідність. Я був у Львові двічі від початку війни. Разом із командою лікарів моєї організації MedGlobal ми навчали лікарів та медсестер в Україні. Коли українські лікарі, офіцери та представники Міністерства охорони здоров’я дізнались, що я надавав медичну допомогу в Сирії, вони зокрема просили підготувати їх до ймовірного застосування хімічної зброї”, – коментує Голосу Америки доктор Захер Салул, представник американської коаліції Сирії та президент медичної організації MedGlobal (міжнародна некомерційної організації, яка надає медичні послуги найбільш уразливим групам населення світу)

Під час акції організатори події оголосили про створення “Американської коаліції на підтримку України”, яка об’єднає різні національні групи в США. А також повідомили про відкриття представництва “Razom for Ukraine” у столиці США, Вашингтоні.”Ми маємо щоденні зустрічі із представниками, із політиками тож тепер ми маємо офіційне представництво тут, у Вашингтоні, – це наша перша новина і друга це – створення американської коаліції на підтримку України. Ми хочемо б’єднати усіх цих людей, громади, організації, інституції, які вже й так підтримують Україну. Для того, щоб ми спільно співпрацювали і мали однакові меседжі, щоб ми використовували усі наші канали для подальшої підтримки України”, – повідомила Голосу Америки Марина Приходько, членкиня ради директорів ГО Razom For Ukraine.

Maryna Baydyuk, Assistant Research Professor at Huang Lab; Assistant Research Professor at Georgetown University
Alex Kuzma, Executive Director at Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation

Дивіться сюжет Голос америки тут/Watch the news piece from Voice of America here: https://youtu.be/M9X9a-LPxLY?t=518

Дивіться прес конференцію тут/Watch the full press conference here: https://fb.watch/cRcxSAbX7t/

Спільну заяву читайте тут/Read the joint statement here: https://razomforukraine.org/joint-statement-on-inter-community-support-for-ukraine

Дивіться сюжет американського каналу Фокц про прес конференцію тут/Watch the Fox news piece on the press conference here: https://video.foxnews.com/v/6305792045112/

Emergency Supplemental for Ukraine

Published: May 10, 2022   

What is an Emergency Supplemental and Why Does Ukraine Need One?

War is expensive. Winning a war is even more expensive. We want Ukraine to prevail in this war, and Ukraine needs our help to do this.

The U.S. Congress and Administration have passed several large, historic, and bipartisan financial aid packages for Ukraine in the last two months. Among them: $3.5 billion in drawdown authority, $1.7 billion to ensure continuity of Ukraine’s democratic operations, and $650 million in military assistance to Ukraine. 

However, this is not enough for Ukraine to sustain itself in total war. Ukraine needs security and economic assistance to defeat russian aggression and provide basic commodities to people impacted by the war and russia’s incessant attacks on civilian areas.

As President Joe Biden announced in his May 9 statement, shortly after signing the groundbreaking Lend Lease Act for Ukraine, “I have nearly exhausted the resources given to me by a bipartisan majority in Congress to support Ukraine’s fighters. This aid has been critical to Ukraine’s success on the battlefield.”

The U.S. Congress is responsible for approving the spending of the U.S. Government, and the U.S. Administration may ask for additional money beyond approved budgets and spending schedules when the need for funds is too urgent to be postponed until the next regular annual appropriations act.

In light of this, U.S. President Joe Biden has requested the U.S. Congress to promptly pass the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act in the amount of $39 billion. This Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act is an emergency supplemental budget; many similar bills have been proposed and passed before, providing necessary funding for U.S. initiatives, both domestic and international. 

In order to keep Ukraine in the fight for democracy and freedom, Ukraine needs about $10 billion a year in assistance from its strategic partners, according to conservative estimates. However, a $39 billion supplemental budget for Ukraine would be a gamechanger, and, according to President Biden’s May 9 statement, the amount includes “military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine,” adding that “the plan was substantial in size, because the need is substantial:  we must stand by Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression.”

But there’s also good news on the horizon. On May 10, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act passed the House. The next step is to have the Senate pass the bill. 

What can you do to help the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act pass? 

First, find your Senators. It is important that Senators hear from their constituents – the people that they represent, so please enter the zip code where you’re registered to vote. 

Second, call your Senator. Yes, calling is important. Someone from the Senator’s office may pick up and write down your message, or you may have to leave a voice message. This is normal and part of the process. Click here for more detailed instructions and a sample text. 

Third, in your message to your Senator, state your name and your zip code. Thank your Senator for their continued support of Ukraine and convey that their support of Ukraine is of utmost importance to you. Feel free to list a few reasons why you support Ukraine, i.e. you’re a Ukrainian-American, you believe in Ukraine’s fight for freedom and against tyranny, or you know someone currently in Ukraine who is affected by the war. 

Fourth, urge your Senator to do everything they can to pass the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act as soon as possible. 

That’s it! Thank you for being an advocate for Ukraine and using your democratic right to voice your concerns and priorities to the U.S. Government to help save lives and defend democracy.

Newsletter #14: We are 120,000 donors and volunteers strong and we still need your help

Published: May 6, 2022   

We hit 120,000 donors this week and it’s absolutely amazing.  The diversity of Razom’s network reflects the diversity of all the work we’re able to accomplish with your generous contributions.  We are all moving towards the same goal — Ukraine’s victory, and we’re doing it Razom.  Let’s keep it up.

Dear Razom community,

Ukraine is winning, big aid is moving, Razom’s impact is growing, but the war is still ongoing.  There is an incredible amount of work to be done.  Our volunteers, colleagues, and partners in Ukraine share this daily.  We are forever grateful for the support of our individual donors, and today, ask you to consider making another donation to Razom, no matter how big or small.  We need your support to keep going. 

Your contributions have real impact on the lives of Ukrainians.  Here’s a snapshot of some of the things we were able to accomplish this week: 

  • Razom’s Hospitals Team shipped an entire pallet worth of antibiotics thanks to a $10,000 grant from Morristown Medical Center received by fellow Razom volunteer and pharmacist Oksana Lytvyn.  
  • The team also obtained one pallet worth of sutures donated by Surgeon Ilkana M Gaffar on behalf of Kings County Hospital.  
  • To date, Razom has invested $925,362 into its logistical chain.
  • MedGlobal is in Lviv again for their second medical mission in partnership with Razom and UMANA.  They brought with them 150 suitcases of medical supplies and several more Butterfly Ultrasounds to donate to hospitals across Ukraine.  They continue to provide important training on trauma care and chemical warfare.   
  • Sometimes local NGOs and informal volunteer initiatives are best positioned to provide timely response to humanitarian needs that change by the hour and come from multiple geographical points at the same time, like they do in Ukraine.  That’s why Razom developed a grant program that awards grassroots initiatives in Ukraine to help civilians in hot zones.  Here’s some of what they’ve been able to accomplish:
    • Groups like Rescue Now and Жовта допомога Харкiв (2 of our 16 grant recipients) provide basic humanitarian aid (food, hygiene products, medicines etc.) to people in Kharkiv oblast, especially in recently liberated cities, towns, and villages in the region.  
    • Chernihiv in northern Ukraine suffered terribly at the beginning of the invasion and charity organization, З покликом у серці, is delivering aid to the region that was occupied for weeks without access to the supplies people desperately needed.
    • TAPS Dnipro provided 7,148 aid packages to internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Dnipro Volunteer IDP Center which receives on average 1,300 IDPs daily.  They used their $20,000 Razom Grant to deliver nine 20-ton trucks with humanitarian aid from Germany, Romania, Baltic States, Lviv and Vinnytsa.  With this investment we were able to support the center’s operations for an entire week. 

Razom held two press conferences on the same day this week, one in Lviv, Ukraine and another in Washington D.C.

In Ukraine, it was important that we amplify our reach so that we continue building out the network of people who need help and organizations that need partnership support.  You can watch the press conference here (it’s in Ukrainian) moderated by former Ambassador to Ukraine from Canada Andrij Shevchenko and featuring Razom Board Member Lyuba Shipovich, Razom dlia Ukraini Director Evelina Kurilets, and “Children We Will Make It” co-founder (and current head of Razom volunteer drivers) Vitalii Svichynskyi. 

The D.C. press conference brought together community leaders from Ukrainian organizations and partners from ethnic, religious, and human rights groups to voice their support for Ukraine.  Razom, United Help Ukraine, U.S. Ukrainian activists, and leaders of Polish, Baltic, Syrian, Afghan, Jewish, Muslim and human rights groups spoke all together in front of the White House.  You can watch it here. 

Razom also announced its intent to launch the American Coalition for Ukraine and deliver a Joint Statement on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation for Ukraine.  You can find the full statement here.  

This is group advocacy work that everyone can take part in.  The $33B emergency supplemental aid package for Ukraine is currently awaiting congressional approval.  Call up your representatives so they know you support this package to get Ukraine closer to victory now.

People around the world continue to be inspired by the perseverance and creativity of brave Ukraine and are coming together to do what they can to help.  Below is a roundup of events that fundraise for specific causes for Ukraine or expose you to amazing Ukrainian art and culture.     

In New York:

Online:

  • Today, Friday May 6 is the last day to catch the International Muses Marathon to raise funds for Voices of Children featuring performances and appeal videos based on a personal Facebook Messenger conversation between the MAE director and Ukraine native Mikhail Zorich and his close friend, Irina, in Kyiv.  Type “100 Hours” in the comments section of the donation page.
  • On Tuesday, May 10 at  5pm PST the Los Angeles Center of Photography is presenting an online conversation with photographer Natalie Keyssar, sharing her experience covering the war in Ukraine.  The event will be moderated by LACP’s executive director, Dr. Rotem Rozental andNatalie will discuss and present her powerful, yet devastating photographs from the conflict.
  • On May 17 DevOpsDays Ukraine (part of the global DevOpsDays family) is hosting a virtual conference benefiting Razom to to discuss DevOps during crisis, incident, and business continuity management and share Ukrainian DevOps expertise.

In Illinois:Today, May 6 at 8pmChicago will host an EDM concert to benefit the current refugee crisis with proceeds going to Razom at Skyline Loft at the Bridgeport Arts Center.  

In Michigan:Today, May 6from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom.  More info here. 

In Texas:  Over the weekend of May 13, Art of Peace, a group of Houstonians collaborating to help Ukrainian people, is hosting an art exhibition featuring 30 local artists with part of the proceeds benefiting Razom.   

In Pennsylvania:  On Tuesday, May 17 from 7:30-9:30pm at the Kresge Theater, the Carnegie Mellon School of Music presents a special concert to benefit the Ukrainian people featuring 17 members of the faculty, musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and students of the School of Music. 

In Connecticut:  On May 21, a local group of runners in Cheshire, CT are hosting a 5K run/walk in their town to fundraise for Razom.  Learn more info on how to join them or contribute to their GoFundMe page go here. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.

Stay Razom.

$40M to Help Ukraine. Razom Press-Conference in Lviv

Published: May 5, 2022   

5 травня 2022 року у львівському “Ukraine Media Centre” відбулась прес-конференція представників NGO “Razom for Ukraine” на тему “40 млн. дол. для допомоги Україні: як українські волонтери у США наближають нашу перемогу”.

З початку вторгнення Росії в Україну “Razom for Ukraine” поставила на паузу усі свої проекти й зосередилася на єдиному – допомогти українцям під час війни. За ці місяці за допомогою фандрайзингу організації вдалося зібрали 40 мільйонів доларів.

“З них вже на 27 мільйонів доларів вже закуплено товарів таких, як товари тактичної медицини, засоби комунікації, супутникові телефони, планшети, рації, дрони” – повідомила співзасновниця та віце-президентка NGO “Razom for Ukraine” Люба Шипович.

Спеціалізацією “RAZOM” є закупівля сертифікованих засобів тактичної медицини та доставка гуманітарної допомоги. Спочатку організація визначала та купувала необхідне самостійно, далі — налагодила комунікацію безпосередньо з військовими частинами та організаціями ТРО й почала отримувати запити безпосередньо від них. Військові найчастіше просили квадрокоптери, медичні аптечки та кровоспинні турнікети.

“За цей час війни нам уже вдалося виконати більше 550 заявок, які ми доставляємо напряму на передову. Тобто кінцевими отримувачами нашої допомоги є військові частини, госпіталі, організації територіальної оборони у прифронтових зонах” – поділилась виконавча директорка благодійного фонду “Разом для України” Евеліна Курілець.

Ще одним важливим напрямком допомоги “Razom for Ukraine” спільно з громадським рухом “Діти, ми встигнемо” стала евакуація діток з особливими потребами із гарячих точок та прифронтових зон. За два місяці волонтерам вдалося евакуювати 10 діток зі СМА закордон, а також вивезли до безпечних місць понад 500 дітей та жінок.

“Пізніше ми трансформувались і вирішили, що ми не тільки будемо евакуйовувати людей, однак, і доставляти ці надважливі вантажі, про які говорили попередні спікери. Ми доставляємо, фактично, гуманітарні вантажі, а назад веземо евакуйованих людей” – зазначив голова громадського руху “Діти, ми встигнемо” Віталій Свічинський.

Ініціатива “Razom for Ukraine” виникла ще під час “Революції Гідності” та об’єднала людей, не байдужих до української демократії. Сьогодні ж у США лише фандрейзингом займаються понад 100 волонтерів, працює лобістська команда, яка проводить зустрічі у Вашингтоні із Сенаторами та держслужбовцями США ТОП-рівня, а в Україні на складі організації працюють 45 осіб.

“Ми відкриті до співпраці і якщо комусь потрібна наша допомога, або хтось може нас підтримати – ласкаво просимо, ми відкриті до співпраці” – підсумувала прес-конференцію Евеліна Курілець.

Eva Kurilets (left), Vitaliy Svichynskyi (center), Lyuba Shipovich (right)
former Ambassador to Ukraine from Canada Andrij Shevchenko

On May 5, 2022, a press conference was held at the Ukraine Media Center in Lviv by representatives of Razom for Ukraine on the topic “$40 million to help Ukraine: how Ukrainian volunteers in the United States are approaching our victory.”

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Razom for Ukraine has paused all its projects and focused on one thing – helping Ukrainians in war time. During these months, the organization managed to raise $40 million through fundraising.

“Of these, $27 million have already been purchased for goods such as tactical medicine, communications, satellite phones, tablets, walkie-talkies, drones,” said Lyuba Shipovich, co-founder and vice president of Razom for Ukraine.

RAZOM specializes in the purchase of certified tactical medical supplies and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Initially, the organization determined and purchased the necessary items on its own, then established communication directly with military units and territorial defense units and began to receive inquiries directly from them. The military most often asked for quadcopters, first aid kits and hemostatic tourniquets.

“During this war, we have already managed to fulfill more than 550 requests, which we deliver directly to the front. That is, the final recipients of our assistance are military units, hospitals and field hospitals, territorial defense units in the frontline zones” – shared the executive director of Razom dlia Ukraini Evelina Kurilets.

Another important branch of ​​aid for Razom together with the social movement “Children, we will make it” was the evacuation of children with special needs from hotspots and frontline areas. In two months, volunteers managed to evacuate 10 children with SMA abroad and more than 500 children and women to safety.

“Shortly we have transformed and decided that we would not only evacuate people, but also deliver this crucial aid, which was mentioned by previous speakers. Thus, we deliver humanitarian goods, and we take the evacuated people back,” said Vitaliy Svichynskyi, the head of the movement “Children, we will make it”.

Razom for Ukraine originated during the Revolution of Dignity and brought together people who stand for Ukrainian democracy. Today, more than 100 volunteers in the United States alone fundraise for Ukraine, an advocacy team meets in Washington D.C. with top U.S. senators and government officials, and 45 people work in Ukraine.

“We are open to cooperation and if someone needs our help, or someone can support us – welcome, we are open to cooperation,” Evelina Kurilets concluded the press conference.

Boycott Business With russia

Published: May 4, 2022   

On May 4th, Ukrainians were joined by the Wall Street “Fearless Girl” to call for more transparency on companies continuing to do business in russia. Razom organized a silent “Save the Children!” Protest, whose message is simple – by continuing to do business in russia, companies are feeding the war machine and killing more Ukrainian children. Protestors held the signs like “Stop funding putin’s war!”, “Boycott Business With russia” as well as QR codes with links to websites tracking russia “remainders”, such as Yale russia list, Boycott russia, Stop Business With russia (SBWr), Squeezing putin, Don’t Fund War and Exit russia.

Photos by George de Castro-Day/@aperture.delta

Razom business advocacy team has been collaborating with some of these initiatives to bring attention to the companies still paying their tax dollars stained by blood. The protests are happening in different corners of the US and the world. Stop Business With russia activists have written more than 300 emails to company CEOs, investor relations and shareholders urging them to get out of russia. Ukrainian financial analysts are pouring over quarterly earnings reports to see that the companies are following their public announcements and are indeed leaving russia. The pressure is on!


Razom is proud to be part of the effort for more transparency – we joined the Ukrainian American Bar Association, and Natalie Jaresko (former Minister of Finance of Ukraine) in submitting The Russia Disclosure rulemaking petition to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requiring US public companies to disclose their business with/within russia and Belarus. The petition 4-784 is now available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website. Our proposal, if adopted, will provide critical information for investors, who may prefer to distance themselves from the financing of war crimes entirely, and also evaluate the risks of further sanctions, boycotts, reputational/ESG risks, and increased costs stemming from continued operation in russia. 

CALL TO ACTION: You can help make this common-sense disclosure a reality with ~10 minutes of your time:

1. SEND A LETTER TO THE SEC: Email a note explaining why you support the proposed Russia Disclosure to rule-comments@sec.gov. The subject line of your message MUST include the 4-784 file number for the petition. Ok to attach a PDF.

2. WRITE TO YOUR SENATORS / CONGRESS REPS (or better call them) – relevant contacts based on your address available here: https://lnkd.in/dR32pE96. Request/suggest that they: (A) Send a letter to the SEC in support of the Russia Disclosure Petition 4-784, and (B) Support or co-sponsor “H.R.7228 Reveal Risky Russia Business Act” introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) on March 24 (https://lnkd.in/dPXjWEaq) or introduce their own bill.
As Andrii Galiuk from SBWr initiative explains: “Why is there both an SEC Petition and a Congress Act pursuing similar disclosure requirements? Good question. SEC can introduce a new disclosure requirement independent of Congress, solely based on the Petition, but it may also deny the petition and do nothing. Alternatively, US Congress can require SEC to introduce the disclosure – that’s how Conflict Minerals and Iran Business disclosures came to be. Of course, Congress requiring the disclosure in a bill would be optimal. But for now, both paths are viable and worth pursuing”.

3. SHARE THIS WITH YOUR NETWORK on social media. Tag political and civic leaders, and journalists who can help raise awareness.

4. Write letters to companies remaining in russia on Yale russia list, corporate emails are listed here https://emailcontactukraine.com/

Joint Statement on Inter-Community Support for Ukraine

Published: May 3, 2022   

The ethnic and religious communities we represent believe in democracy, human rights, and freedom. We call the United States home but share historic experiences of oppression, violence, and war — many times also at the hands of the Russian regime. We wholeheartedly support Ukraine in its fight for these values. 

We praise the United States for its support of the Ukrainian people defending their homeland. We applaud the great Ukrainian community in the United States for their efforts to support Ukraine. The United States must continue to support Ukraine militarily, financially, and materially on any and all levels possible. We urge the United States government to do all within its power to continue providing the Ukrainian people with the assistance they need in their fight for freedom, justice, and truth. 


Ukraine must prevail as quickly as possible to stop the loss of life and begin rebuilding. We call on Congress to immediately pass the emergency supplemental appropriation for critical security and economic assistance to Ukraine.

Newsletter #13: Our commitment is unwavering – Razom’s latest updates

Published: April 29, 2022   

Razom’s commitment to delivering life-saving aid into the right hands in Ukraine is unwavering.  In this newsletter you’ll find the latest about that work, as well as about the diverse collection of events happening all over the world to get yourself involved in helping Ukraine.

Dear Razom community,

Your donations coupled with the volunteers who work every single day, including weekends and evenings, to drive impact as fast as humanly possible, make a difference.  Remember this, because Ukraine still needs you. 

Below is a snapshot of some of the work we’ve been able to accomplish lately, by no means is this an exhaustive list:

  • Partners for World Health and Razom Hospitals team applied and received a UPS air shipping grant that was used to ship 42 pallets of medical supplies and equipment that will be received by our on the ground partners in Ukraine, Zdorovi.  This shipment included an AED machine, Autoclave, Anesthesia GE Datex Ohmeda Machine, Crash Cart, Portable Ultrasound, and Patient Monitor, amongst other supplies.
  • Razom has an unofficial branch in Canada thanks to a group of incredible volunteers.  To date, 76 pallets of medical supplies have been shipped from therethat include tourniquets, hermostatic bandages, splints, portable ultrasound machines, and so much more.  Big thanks go out to Meditek Canada, Hamilton Health Sciences and a number of private clinics, who made large in-kind donations to Razom.
  • MD Luke Tomycz, Neurosurgeon and co-founder of Razom’s The CoPilot Project spearheaded an effort with the Razom Hospitals team to send 2 pallets of critical neurosurgical supplies to Ukraine.  We partnered with international NGO CMMB to procure neuro supplies from Integra.  We also helped procure epilepsy medication that has been distributed to displaced children from Donestk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions currently in Dnipro.  
  • Cabinet Health, a company that provides plastic-free packaging for everyday over-the-counter medicines, has generously donated 8 pallets of necessary OTC medications to the Razom Hospitals team.  We are grateful for our partnership with Kyiv Alliance and Help Heroes of Ukraine who transported these pallets from Tennessee to New York. 
  • Razom Hospitals team is also helping to address sexual violence and abuse in Ukraine.  In cooperation with Leda Health, we are sending 500 forensic rape kits to support justice for the victims of sexual violence in Ukraine. 
  • To date, Razom has delivered over 4,000 walkie-talkies, 700 civilian drones, 250 satellite phones, and 200 tablets to territorial defense units, rescuers, paramedics, and volunteers in Ukraine to help deliver humanitarian aid safely and effectively and provide rescue support.  
Volunteers at our warehouse in Ukraine
Razom volunteers in Canada

Razom has partnered up with Nova Ukraine and United Help Ukraine to collectively raise $20,000 to purchase 300 Starlink kits and distribute them across Ukraine.

101 cities currently don’t have internet because russian missiles and army have destroyed or severely damaged infrastructure.  Ukrainians need stable connectivity to keep a lifeline to their loved ones and manage their daily lives – work remotely, pay bills, receive medical care, etc.

Please do your part in connectivity enablement in Ukraine by contributing to this specific project here.

People around the world continue to be inspired by the perseverance and creativity of brave Ukraine and are coming together to do what they can to help.  Below is a roundup of events that fundraise for specific causes for Ukraine or expose you to amazing Ukrainian art and culture.     

In New York:

  • Tonight and tomorrow (4/29 and 4/30) from 7-9pm, Soapbox Gallery in Brooklyn will run a tribute to Ukrainian music and culture, providing a platform for over 20 artists to react to today’s events from multiple perspectives and provide a fresh look at Ukraine’s musical roots and identity.
  • Tonight, 4/29 at 7pm and 9:30pm join us at the documentary film screening of The Will To See, and engage in conversation with filmmaker Bernard-Henri Levy at Quad Cinema benefiting Razom.  
  • On Saturday, 4/30 at 5pm at the Tribeca Film Center / Tribeca Screening room,the Directors Guild of Ukraine and New York film club Kinovino are organizing the fundraising film screening of Ukrainian documentary Enticing, Sugary, Boundless or Songs and Dances about Death.  A Q&A with the film’s director Tania Khodakivska will follow.
  • On Saturday, 4/30 from 2pm – 9:15pm The Otto’s Benefit for Ukraine at Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC will have a lineup of singer songwriters and bands with all proceeds from the concert going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, 4/30 from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction.  Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom’s Emergency Response project!
  • On Sunday, May 1 at 11am Chobani SoHo Cafe and Razom are collaborating on a fundraising event.  Stop by and try some special creations off the menu and help Ukraine. 
  • On Tuesday, May 3 at 7pm the Church Street School for Music and Art in NYC will host a Concert For Ukraine featuring violinist Nadia Khodakovska and members of CSSMA faculty.  All proceeds will go to Razom.  To reserve tickets email tobywine@churchstreetschool.org.
  • On Saturday, May 7 Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie, NY is hosting the 8th Annual Peace and Harmony Invitational with all proceeds benefiting Ukraine.
  • On Friday, May 20 and Sunday, May 22 at the Ukrainian Museum, Director and Producer Andrea Odezynska debuts her new feature-length environmental documentary, Return Sasyk to the Sea, which spotlights the destructive legacy Ukraine inherited as a former member of the Soviet Union. 

Online:

  • On Saturday, April 30 at 10-11:30am Pacific time Barnsdall Arts is hosting a Ukrainian Art Workshop via Zoom to learn about Petrykivka painting.  All proceeds go to Razom.
  • On Saturday, April 30 at 1pm EDT, Weave A Real Peace (WARP) will host Ukrainian textile artists Halyna Shepko (New York), Daryna Alieksieienko (Kyiv), Andriy Pyshkar (Ternopil), and Yaroslava Tkachuk (Lviv) for a discussion about their work within the Ukrainian weaving traditions.  Continuing Textile Traditions: Ukraine is a special program (online) to raise relief funds for Razom. 
  • On May 17 DevOpsDays Ukraine (part of the global DevOpsDays family) is hosting a virtual conference benefiting Razom to to discuss DevOps during crisis, incident, and business continuity management and share Ukrainian DevOps expertise.

In New Jersey:  On Sunday, May 1 at 2pm EDT the Ukrainian American Business and Professionals Association and artist Dianna Derhak will host Sunflowers for Ukraine – Paint Sunday Fundraiser with all proceeds going to support the Ukrainian Documentary Film Project about the current war.

In Wisconsin:On Sunday, April 30 from 10am-3pm, DeBerge’s Framing and Gallery in Kenosha, WI will host an open house selling ribbon embroidery art by Slava Buchkovich and t-shirts designed by Annya Knautz, with some of the proceeds benefiting Razom. 

In North Carolina:  On Sunday, May 1, 7-9pm EDT the Arts Center of Carrboro, NC will host an Evening of Bold Stories to support Ukrainian refugees.  

In Michigan: On Friday, May 6from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom.  More info here.

In Texas:  Over the weekend of May 13th, Art of Peace, a group of Houstonians collaborating to help Ukrainian people, is hosting an art exhibition featuring 30 local artists with part of the proceeds benefiting Razom.   

In Connecticut:  On May 21, a local group of runners in Cheshire, CT are hosting a 5K run/walk in their town to fundraise for Razom.  Learn more info on how to join them or contribute to their GoFundMe page go here. 

In Copenhagen:  On May 5, the Academic Council of Eastern European Studies will host an all-day conference at the University of Copenhagen – Østeuropastudiers Ukrainefestival. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.

Stay Razom.

Newsletter # 12: We can’t relent now – latest updates from Razom

Published: April 22, 2022   

Here’s your regularly scheduled update from Razom during these irregular, difficult, life-changing times.  Take note of our work thanks to your incredible, continued support, and take note of ways you can continue to stand with Ukraine.  Right now it matters more than ever.

Dear Razom community,

We are entering a new phase of the war in Ukraine and your support (donations, advocacy, volunteering, showing up) has never been more important.  As of right now, Razom has spent $19,454,438 of your donations to provide humanitarian war relief and recovery depending on the most urgent needs as they evolve.  Here’s a roundup of the latest work and impact Razomtsi have been up to:

  • Fulfilled a total of 282 aid requests from territorial defense units, hospitals, and field hospitals across Ukraine.  In the past several weeks, 62 of those made it into the hands of end users in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv regions in eastern Ukraine(an area that’s currently undergoing heavy fighting).
  • Procured and delivered 100 wound vac machines (vacuum assisted closure that removes fluids from the wound and pulls its edges together) to hospitals in Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Chernivtsi.
  • Procured and delivered 23 pickup trucks for paramedics to aid in the evacuation of wounded across hot spots of the war to help save lives of Ukrainian armed forces, joined by brave Ukrainian civilians.
Mykolaiv region
Odesa region
Donetsk region
Pickup trucks making their way to Ukraine
Wound vac delivery in Dnipro
Odesa region

On April 20th Razom held its first Ukrainian Village Comprehensive Immigration Clinic that screened and consulted more than 50+ Displaced Ukrainians (DU) at an all-day event.  It resulted with over 30 DUs qualifying for temporary protected status.  Razom volunteer attorneys partnered with New York Legal Services Group – NYLAG to run the event and continue working on these cases free of charge (worth upwards of $45,000 in legal services).  Thanks to its partnerships with private law firms in the city, NYLAG is also able to cover filing fees for every DU, worth at least $36,000.  

New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Commissioner Manuel Castro gave an opening address welcoming newly-arrived Displaced Ukrainians and reminded them that it does not matter if they have lived in NYC for 50 years or for one week, they are already New Yorkers and very much welcomed here.  Many DUs simply cannot afford to hire experienced immigration attorneys to handle their cases, which puts them at risk of making errors when filing themselves or receiving inadequate advice by non-licensed (yet more affordable) “consultants.”  

This immigration clinic wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of NYLAG, Cornerstone Church NYC (who provided space and refreshments), IRC, Ukrainian Jersey City, and NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.  Razom’s next immigration clinic will take place on May 6. 

The blockade of Azovstal in besieged Mariupol is ongoing.  Bear witness to the children sheltering in the fortress-like steel mill with over 2,000 Ukrainian fighters and civilians for weeks.  Watch this.  These children do not have to die.   Commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, Serhiy Volyna, filmed a message directly from Azovstal detailing exactly how we can save them.  Watch it here.  

Ukraine can stop russia only if it receives critical weapons from its international partners, such as heavy artillery, heavy-armored vehicles, air defense systems, and combat aircrafts.  Therefore we call on our friends and supporters to join the social media campaign #ArmUkraineNow by taking a photo with the hashtag and going to social media to appeal to the leadership of your state, or to the international community at large, to provide critical heavy weapons to Ukraine. 

Check out Razom’s new Advocacy page on our website to learn more about how you can educate yourself (and the public) about Ukraine.  We provide resources about upcoming rallies, how to contact your representatives, and other creative ways to get involved in advocating for Ukraine. 

For example this week, Razomtsi with other Ukrainian activists projected a Ukrainian flag on the russian ambassador’s luxurious townhouse in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with the message that Putin is a war criminal and Zelensky is a hero.  Ashley Kernitsky, SVP, Group Creative Director, Brand Experience at BCW Global designed the graphic projection.  

Meanwhile Razom’s Advocacy Team has carried out over 20 visits and engagements since the start of the war by meeting with high schools and universities, representatives’ offices, and activists and representatives of different communities.  Some notable visits included a meeting with Safi Rauf, a Afghan-American Naval reservist very recently released by the Taliban, and running a lecture for the Ukrainian Diplomatic Academy for the diplomatic corps stationed all over the world, including those in Kazakstan, Cuba, and Japan consulates. 

Safi Rauf meeting with Razom Advocacy Team

Here’s your roundup of events to consider supporting that are fundraising for a good cause (like Razom’s Emergency Response project!):   

  • On Friday, April 22 at 10pm EDT the DJ collective Foreign Posse is hosting a Stand With Ukraine party at Karvouna Mezze on Manhattan. 
  • Chicago Artists for Ukraine have organized a fundraising art sale and exhibit on Saturday, April 23 from 4-11pm CDT and Sunday, April 24 from 12-3pm CDT with all proceeds from ticket and art sales going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, April 23 urbanStages is hosting a Music Marathon For Ukraine at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm with all proceeds going to Razom’s Emergency Response. 
  • On Saturday, April 23 Arjana and Ivan, an acoustic duo based in NYC known for their unique takes and creative arrangements of tunes new and old, will be performing a benefit concert for Ukraine at the Nite Spot Night series at the MAC.  More info here.  
  • On Saturday, April 23 Bier Station will join with the Ukrainian Club of Kansas City, MO for an all-day benefit to support Razom.  They’re also hosting a silent auction online so you can participate even if you’re not in Missouri! 
  • On Thursday, April 28 at 7-9pm in Brooklyn, NY Soapbox Gallery will run a 3-day tribute to Ukrainian music and culture.  
  • On Saturday, April 30 from 2pm – 9:15pm EDT The Otto’s Benefit for Ukraine at Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC will have a lineup of singer songwriters and bands with all proceeds from the concert going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, April 30 from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction.  Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom’s Emergency Response project!
  • On Saturday, April 30 at 10-11:30am Pacific time Barnsdall Arts is hosting a Ukrainian Art Workshop via Zoom to learn about Petrykivka painting.  All proceeds go to Razom.
  • On Saturday, April 30 at 1pm EDT, Weave A Real Peace (WARP) will host Ukrainian textile artists Halyna Shepko (New York), Daryna Alieksieienko (Kyiv), Andriy Pyshkar (Ternopil), and Yaroslava Tkachuk (Lviv) for a discussion about their work within the Ukrainian weaving traditions.  Continuing Textile Traditions: Ukraine is a special program (online) to raise relief funds for Razom. 
  • On Sunday, May 1, 7-9pm EDT the Arts Center of Carrboro, NC will host an Evening of Bold Stories to support Ukrainian refugees.  
  • On Sunday, May 1 at 2pm EDT the Ukrainian American Business and Professionals Association and artist Dianna Derhak will host Sunflowers for Ukraine – Paint Sunday Fundraiser with all proceeds going to support the Ukrainian Documentary Film Project about the current war.
  • On Tuesday, May 3 at 7pm the Church Street School for Music and Art in NYC will host a Concert For Ukraine featuring violinist Nadia Khodakovska and members of CSSMA faculty.  All proceeds will go to Razom.  To reserve tickets email tobywine@churchstreetschool.org. 
  • On Friday, May 6 from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom.  More info here. 
  • On Saturday, May 7 Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie, NY is hosting the 8th Annual Peace and Harmony Invitational with all proceeds benefiting Ukraine. 
  • On May 17 DevOpsDays Ukraine (part of the global DevOpsDays family) is hosting a virtual conference benefiting Razom to to discuss DevOps during crisis, incident, and business continuity management and share Ukrainian DevOps expertise. 
  • On May 21, a local group of runners in Cheshire, CT are hosting a 5K run/walk in their town to fundraise for Razom.  Learn more info on how to join them or contribute to their GoFundMe page go here. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.

Stay Razom.


Little Italy and China Town on April 16, 2022

#ArmUkraineNow – Urgent Call To Action

Published: April 19, 2022   

For fifty-four days, Ukraine has been heroically resisting russia’s military aggression.  It is clear now that this is not just a russian military operation, but a planned genocide of the Ukrainian people.  Hundreds of children have been displaced, injured and killed.  Civilian buildings, and entire cities, have been destroyed, leveled and looted.  Russia has begun a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine can stop russia only if it receives critical weapons from its international partners, such as heavy artillery, heavy-armored vehicles, air defense systems, and combat aircraft (full list here).

Razom, with Mas Agency, announced a global social media campaign “Arm Ukraine Now.”  Anyone who supports Ukraine, strives for its sovereignty and independence, and supports providing heavy weapons to Ukraine to end russia’s military aggression can participate in this campaign.  It will run until April 30, 2022.

The campaign’s goal is to secure needed weapons for the Ukrainian army as soon as possible to push the aggressor out of Ukraine, and thus save thousands of civilian lives and defend democracy in Europe.

How to join the campaign:

  1. Take a photo of yourself holding a piece of paper, on your phone, or tablet, with the slogan #ArmUkraineNow.  
  2. Post to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, with a short appeal to the leadership of your country, or to the international community at large with the request to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons to counter Russia’s aggression and to save civilian lives.  Make sure to use the hashtag.
  3. Tag three friends to do the same.  Let’s make this go viral. 

Proposed Text:

Why are we so afraid to arm the professional army of a democratic state that is fighting an aggressor on its own territory?  Let’s unite to stop the war in Ukraine.  Let’s defend freedom and save lives.  I’m asking world leaders to #ArmUkraineNow.

Join us (tag 3 friends):

  • Post a picture with a sign #ArmUkraineNow
  • Ask your government to support Ukraine
  • Tag 3 friends to do the same. 

Without additional weapons for Ukraine, this war will turn into an endless and bloody battle, which will spread misery, suffering, and more death.  The war crimes will continue beyond Mariupol, Bucha, and Kramatorsk.  The global impact of the war will make life more difficult for people around the world, beyond the borders of Ukraine.  The sooner Ukraine gets arms the better for us all.

Join the #ArmUkraineNow social media campaign and invite your friends.

Only when we are many, we will be heard.  Every post, and every participant has an impact!

Razom

Newsletter #11: Latest Updates from Razom and a To-Do List for this Weekend

Published: April 15, 2022   

An update on the scale of Razom’s impact thanks to your donations and support, and a few key ways for you to do at least one thing for Ukraine today (including participating in a social media advocacy campaign).

Dear Razom community,

Thanks to your generosity and our unstoppable team of volunteers, Razom has been able to invest $14.4M into its Emergency Response efforts since day 1 of this war.  Here’s how it breaks down: 

  • $7.5M went towards procuring the most requested live-saving tactical medicine, medical supplies, and hospital needs delivered to territorial defense units and hospitals across regions in Ukraine that are actively fighting off their occupiers. 
  • $4.5M went towards procuring non-medical humanitarian aid in the form of communications devices to ensure safe and effective delivery of aid.
  • $1.2M went towards grants issued by Razom to organizations and initiatives that help civilians in hotspots and/or internally displaced persons in Ukraine.
  • $548k went towards carrying out our logistics chain 
  • $458k went towards procuring vehicles whether in the form of minibuses to help evacuate displaced children and families or in the form of 23 pick up trucks to help evacuate the wounded in active war zones.
  • $32k went towards Razom’s advocacy work

Meanwhile Razom’s Hospitals Team has built relationships with large nonprofit organizations and agencies that aggregate hospital supplies, global health and major disaster relief organizations, and several hospitals, to collect in-kind donations.  To date, those in-kind donations have an estimated value of $1.2M.  Check out our latest update on the Razom Blog to learn more about this incredible team and the organizations we’ve partnered up with.   The first of many medical missions was successfully carried out this week in partnership with MedGlobal resulting in 40 hours of trainings for an estimated total of 350 Ukrainian physicians in Lviv on poly trauma surgical procedures/ diagnostics/ surgeries, on operating portable butterfly ultrasounds (donated by MedGlobal), and educating doctors on how to prepare and act in case of chemical warfare.  These volunteering doctors were coming from Newark, NJ, Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, and two from Paris, France. The mission brought with them 37 suitcases of medical supplies and 14 portable butterfly ultrasounds, estimating $700,000 in value. 

On our Blog you’ll also find the latest updates on how our long-time partners at “Building Ukraine Together” (БУР/BUR) have spent a $350k Razom grant supporting internally displaced people in Ukraine.  With those funds they were able to accomplish some of the following:

  • Provide temporary shelter and homes for over 20,000 in western Ukraine. 
  • Begin rebuilding destroyed family buildings in Kharkiv.
  • Organize the evacuation of over 1,300 people from Mariupol.
  • Deliver 75 fridges for blood preservation to 50 hospitals around Ukraine.

Starting today, Razom, along with several other Ukrainian organizations, calls upon its community and allies to join a global social media campaign “Arm Ukraine Now.”  Anyone who supports Ukraine for its unity and independence, and supports providing heavy weapons to Ukraine to end russia’s military aggression can participate.  It will run from today until April 30, 2022. 

Here’s how to join:

Take a photo of a piece of paper, on your phone, tablet, with the slogan #ArmUkraineNow (or yourself holding the photo).

Post to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, with a short appeal to the leadership of your state, or to the international community at large with the request to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons to counter russia’s aggression and to save civilian lives.  A photo should also be posted in the official group of the campaign so that others can see it by using the hashtag.

Tag three friends to do the same. 

Here’s your regular roundup of events to consider supporting that are fundraising for a good cause (like Razom’s Emergency Response project!):   

  • Right now, the Underdonk Gallery in Brookly, NY is running a benefit auction of New York artists’ works to benefit Ukraine, with all the proceeds going to Razom.  You can find more info, including a list of works here. 
  • This Saturday, April 16, 1-4pm EDT the China Town – Little Italy Historic District Improvement Association in NYC is hosting a concert and food fair to fundraise for Ukraine. 
  • On Wednesday, April 20, 12:30-2:00pm EDT the Westchester Biotech Project will host a webinar on The Global Impact of War in Ukraine on Clinical Research. 
  • On Friday, April 22 at 10pm EDT the DJ collective Foreign Posse is hosting a Stand With Ukraine party at Karvouna Mezze on Manhattan. 
  • Chicago Artists for Ukraine have organized a fundraising art sale and exhibit on Saturday, April 23 from 4-11pm CDT and Sunday, April 24 from 12-3pm CDT with all proceeds from ticket and art sales going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, April 23 urbanStages is hosting a Music Marathon For Ukraine at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm with all proceeds going to Razom’s Emergency Response. 
  • On Saturday, April 23 Arjana and Ivan, an acoustic duo based in NYC known for their unique takes and creative arrangements of tunes new and old, will be performing a benefit concert for Ukraine at the Nite Spot Night series at the MAC.  More info here.  
  • On Saturday, April 30 from 2pm – 9:15pm EDT The Otto’s Benefit for Ukraine at Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC will have a lineup of singer songwriters and bands with all proceeds from the concert going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, April 30 from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction.  Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom’s Emergency Response project!
  • On Sunday, May 1, 7-9pm EDT the Arts Center of Carrboro, NC will host an Evening of Bold Stories to support Ukrainian refugees.  
  • On Tuesday, May 3 at 7pm the Church Street School for Music and Art in NYC will host a Concert For Ukraine featuring violinist Nadia Khodakovska and members of CSSMA faculty.  All proceeds will go to Razom.  To reserve tickets email tobywine@churchstreetschool.org. 
  • On Friday, May 6 from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom.  More info here. 
  • On Saturday, May 7 Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie, NY is hosting the 8th Annual Peace and Harmony Invitational with all proceeds benefiting Ukraine. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.

Stay Razom.