June 1st is the International Day for Protection of Children. Nowadays, Ukraine’s children fight for a stolen childhood. For ten years, Ukrainian kids have been losing loved ones to the war in the East and for over two years, Russia has been actively committing atrocities, killing children daily and forcibly taking them from their families. This is not just a tragedy, it is genocide.
At Razom, we are dedicated to supporting and protecting these children through various projects and initiatives.
By supporting camps and centers for kids and teenagers, we aim to provide more than just education, skills, and safety in high-risk areas. Our goal is also to prevent young people from losing their sense of direction. Supporting these kids today means creating a healthier future populace who will be able to contribute to a stable and renewed country.
Razom Toy Drive:
The children of fallen defenders in Ukraine are under constant stress and in dire need of help. The Razom Toy Drive team is committed to wrapping these children’s hearts with warmth and love, recognizing their immense courage and resilience in the face of war. Read more: here
Razom Ticket:
This initiative aims to increase engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines among Ukrainian children. We strive to provide a head start for kids in the world of professional science, IT, and entrepreneurship. Read more: here
The Co-Pilot Project: We have brought, and continue to bring doctors on mission trips to Ukraine to operate on children and save lives, ensuring they receive the medical care they desperately need. Read more: here
Razom z Toboyu (Razom with You): This network of centers is designed to provide mental health support to individuals, both children and adults, who have been affected by war. Read more: here
We are actively speaking out against the forcible and illegal deportation of Ukrainian kids by Russia, bringing international attention to these heinous acts. Read more: here
Your support is crucial in helping us continue these vital projects. Together, we can make a difference and offer support to the youngest victims of this war.
Donate to Razom and help us support and empower Ukrainian children.
Razom remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s future leaders! We recently helped the Taras Shevchenko National University team compete in the Oxford Intellectual Property (IP) Moot Court Competition. Coached by Ilona Boliubash and Nataliia Badora, the team – Anastasiia Tolkachova, Anna Tkachuk, and Sofiia Yermolenko – made Ukraine proud. They faced off against 27 teams worldwide and won 2 out of 4 rounds!
This achievement is even more inspiring considering the wartime environment in which the team prepared. Despite the challenges, the three contenders persevered, showcasing their talent and skills. The competition not only deepened their legal expertise but also provided valuable intercultural exposure. Representing Ukraine on the world stage during such a difficult time was a moment of immense pride.
It’s crucial for Razom to support young minds and make their participation possible. Their journey doesn’t end here. They are committed to continuous improvement, aiming to become the next generation of Ukrainian IP leaders and ensure Ukraine’s continued presence at this prestigious event.
Voices from the Team
Sofiia Yermolenko: “Participating in the Moot Court was transformative. It allowed me to feel like a normal student again. The sense of community and shared passion for IP law was truly inspiring. I gained valuable knowledge and skills that I’m eager to use to contribute to a post-war Ukraine fostering innovation and economic growth.”
Anastasiia Tolkachova: “Representing Ukraine at Oxford was a unique and unforgettable experience. The team’s dedication and passion fueled our success. Our heartfelt thanks go to Razom for Ukraine, our incredible coaches, and the welcoming global community of IP enthusiasts we met. This event was a breath of fresh air – a week free from the constant threat of war. It recharged me and ignited a renewed energy to contribute to Ukraine’s legal system and post-war development.”
Anna Tkachuk: “The Oxford Moot Court fosters a supportive environment, creating a true community. The opportunity to interact with talented students, experienced coaches, and esteemed judges was incredibly rewarding. The oral rounds were particularly valuable, pushing me to hone my advocacy skills and receive real-time feedback. Looking back, I’m proud of our team’s research, legal performance, and ability to stand out in such a competitive field.”
The story of the Ukrainian team at the Oxford Moot Court is one of hope and dedication. It highlights the transformative power of education and the unfaltering spirit of a nation united in the face of adversity. Their success serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating that even in hardship, the pursuit of knowledge and a brighter future continues.
Learn more about the Razom Ticket project and support the brilliant young minds of Ukraine today!
The war in Ukraine has brought immense hardship, and winter only exacerbated the challenges faced by many communities. Damaged infrastructure and limited resources had left residents vulnerable to the harsh realities of a cold season. This winter, Razom Relief partnered with Ukrainian organizations to provide crucial winter aid, delivering items like firewood, power banks, blankets, gas cookers, and aiding in house insulation and windows, and roof renovations. In this article, we aim to spotlight three of such organizations.
Razom provided funds to the Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development to distribute winter supplies in Bilozerka and Stanislav. These communities endured a 9-month occupation and, even after liberation, they continue to face the constant threat of artillery shelling. Those who could evacuate did so. Mostly elderly people, large families, and individuals with disabilities remained. Securing their most fundamental needs is an ongoing struggle, particularly during the harsh winter months.
This project provided 44 families with fuel briquettes for heating and 70 families with essential winter kits, including flashlights, thermoses, portable gas stoves, blankets, and socks.
Tetiana Buzhenko, humanitarian staff member at the Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development:
“I am amazed at how grateful our fellow villagers are for the help they receive. Some cry, others constantly express thanks. It feels like their cherished dream has come true. It is also sad at the same time, because you understand that people need simple things that they did not think about before, and now they are not able to afford them. Did anyone ever think that we would need portable stoves or flashlights?! I am glad that I can help my fellow countrymen!”
Kateryna Okseniuk, Head of humanitarian staff at the Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development:
“The humanitarian direction in our organization is new, but quite powerful. During all of 2023, we worked tirelessly to help our communities improve their living conditions, meet the needs of residents so that necessary things like medicines and goods were available to them. Frankly speaking, it is not easy, but we understand that if we have the opportunity to help, we cannot neglect it. This project shows how much we are needed by our fellow countrymen and how vulnerable they are now.”
Nove Misto Charity Foundation is an organization established in 2022 dedicated to providing vital humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Led by construction expert Kyrylo Hordiienko, Nove Misto focuses on restoring damaged civilian structures, ensuring access to utilities, clearing debris, and assisting animals in need.
In areas like the Kharkiv region, frequently targeted by Russian forces, Razom supported Nove Misto in replacing windows for 21 households. This seemingly simple project provided vital repairs for families struggling with the harsh winter conditions. Damaged windows meant more than just drafts and discomfort; they symbolized compromised safety, increased vulnerability, and a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle.
In the village of Tsupivka, Kharkiv region, Mrs. Nadiya Pavlivna’s story is a testament to the impact of Razom Relief’s initiatives. Faced with a harsh winter and broken windows in her house, she felt hopeless. However, with Razom’s support, Nove Misto replaced her windows, bringing warmth and comfort back to her home.
“Life in the village of Tsupivka has never been easy, but recent years have turned it into a real challenge. My house has suffered serious damage and was deteriorating with each day. Winter was approaching, and the windows were broken. I lost hope that I would be able to change anything because my resources were limited. One day, I discovered the Nove Misto and Razom’s project. Their team arrived and replaced the windows, bringing back warmth and comfort to my home. The gratitude I feel cannot be expressed in words. This is not just a window replacement, it is a return of home and hope.”
In another impactful case, after Mrs. Lyubov Fedorivna’s home was damaged by shelling, she struggled to survive the cold and drafts. Nove Misto not only replaced her windows but also provided building materials, food, and hygiene kits – essential resources for maintaining dignity and moving forward with her life.
“After the shelling in our village of Prudyanka, my life stopped. My small house, which was my fortress, was damaged by shelling. Living in such conditions, in the cold and drafts, was almost impossible. I prayed every day for a miracle, and one day my prayers were answered. When representatives of Nove Misto came to me, I could hardly believe in the reality of their help. They not only replaced the damaged windows, but also provided building materials for repairs, as well as food and hygiene kits that were so needed.
From now on, looking through the new clean windows, I see not only the village, but also a bright future. Words of gratitude sound in my heart every day.”
Razom is also partnering with Nabutok, a volunteer-driven organization providing indispensable support to Ukrainians on the front lines and in war-torn areas of eastern Ukraine. Since April 2022, they have delivered over 300 tons of humanitarian aid, making 82 trips to deliver critical supplies to these regions.
“We cannot stand aside,” says Serhiy, the head of Nabutok. “Thanks to partnerships like this, we’ve helped evacuate a lot of families and provided vital resources to countless others.”
Razom awarded a grant to Nabutok to deliver essential winter supplies to families in Krasnohorivka, a frontline settlement in Donetsk Oblast. The grant funded the purchase and distribution of items like flashlights, warmers, power banks, firewood, and blankets, providing a lifeline to approximately 230 families.
Nabutok’s unwavering commitment inspires us all. Their dedication, along with the support of Razom and its donors, makes a tangible difference in the lives of Ukrainians facing immense hardship.
The fight for Ukraine continues, but Razom remains dedicated to working with organizations like Nove Misto, Bilozerskyi Center for Regional Development and Nabutok who are providing life-saving assistance on the ground.
Here’s how you can help:
Donate: Your contributions allow Razom to continue supporting frontline communities and providing essential supplies.
Spread Awareness: Share this story and others like it to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Stay Informed: Visit the Razom website for regular updates and opportunities to get involved.
Together, we can stand with the courageous people of Ukraine and ensure they have the resources they need.
Razom is proud to support education in Ukraine. We are passionate about investing in the country’s talented youth, the future generation of professionals set to lead with innovation, drive positive change, and contribute to global advancements.
Recently, Razom sponsored the first, in-person school of mathematics for students in grades 1-6 and 10th grade, held in the Kyiv region at the end of October. This one-week event brought together 80 participants and featured not only intensive math sessions but also master classes, talent shows, chess tournaments and sports activities.
In the words of one participant, the atmosphere created by the teachers made math irresistible.. Onsite math schools are vital, providing face-to-face learning that fosters stronger connections and faster progress compared to remote alternatives.
The event was organized by Tsyfra, one of Kyiv’s finest math clubs dedicated to providing supplementary mathematical education and nurturing scientific thinking among primary and secondary students. With disciplines like math, mathematical logic, physics/natural science and chess, Tsyfra educates through study groups, emphasizing problem-solving via lectures, seminars, games, and theoretical analyses.
The center’s commitment to academic excellence is evident through consistently high results in various Olympiads and competitions, as students continue to excel, even amidst the challenges of war.
At Razom, our mission is to continue fostering democracy and prosperity in Ukraine, and we believe supporting education is a key, long term strategy to manifest this purpose. We proudly recognize the dedicated teachers shaping the minds of Ukrainian children, and the students who persevere in their studies. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our amazing sponsors, whose generosity makes these programs possible. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter future in Ukraine.
We invite you to learn more and support Razom’s Relief Program, of which Razom Ticket is a part.
Russia’s full-scale invasion left the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, including villages like Prudianka, Tsypivka, Brazhkivka, and Mala Komyshuvakha, along with the city of Izium, deeply scarred. With winter approaching, damaged roofs leave homes vulnerable to the elements. Recognizing the urgent need for shelter before winter, Razom under the auspices of our Relief Program, provided grants to Volonterska UA, Nove Misto and World foundation for Ukraine, to undertake the crucial task of rebuilding roofs.
Over the past 6 months, these communities bore the brunt of extensive damage: 90% of buildings destroyed, direct hits from unexploded ordnance, and the aftermath of shelling and explosive waves. Basic necessities became a luxury, with villages located up to 30 kilometers away from major roads, rendering them practically inaccessible. With shops, pharmacies, schools, and hospitals non-operational, the challenges were immense.
Despite these adversities, the resilient spirit of the people prevailed, and many chose to return to their villages post-de-occupation. However, the issue of housing reconstruction remained unaddressed, leaving damaged houses vulnerable to the harsh winter conditions. Mold, deteriorating ceilings, and cracked walls served as poignant reminders of the pressing need for immediate action.
United in purpose, Razom together with Volonterska UA, Nove Misto and World foundation for Ukraine have set their focus on repairing roofs and installing windows, with a clear goal: to secure homes before the unforgiving winter sets in. This ongoing project, now one and a half months underway, extends its reach to both the rural villages and the city of Izium, where over 100 private houses suffered significant damage.
The project is advancing steadily. Purchasing materials and completing repairs will span the next three months, ensuring the job is done thoroughly. Together, we’re not just rebuilding roofs; we’re restoring hope and resilience to the heart of Kharkiv and Kherson.
Within hours after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, Razom employed its developed network of grassroots organizations in Ukraine to assess the needs and start helping people in the Kherson region.
Russian deliberate actions caused a humanitarian emergency. Water from the Kakhovka water reservoir flooded wide areas, endangering and forcing thousands of civilians to leave their homes.
Our partners, Rescue Now, have been evacuating civilians and animals since the first hours. With a $25k grant provided by Razom, they have also been delivering needed supplies, including drinking water, food, hygiene products, evacuation boats, and charging stations. The team coordinated with governmental first responders to reach all places in need, despite the constant shelling and missile attacks on the region. Within only 5 days, Rescue Now also set up a humanitarian base in Kherson, which serves as a logistical hub for humanitarian aid for numerous NGOs and as a temporary shelter for evacuees.
Rescue Now, with support from Razom, responds to the emergency on the ground in Kherson
Razom Health team worked with the Ministry of Health in the Kherson region and local NGOs and went to Kherson within the first day. We delivered medicine and protective clothing to local hospitals taking in patients and survivors of the floods. In the following week, our drivers embarked on multiple trips to continue supplying hospitals. Our team in Kyiv packs the supplies while a smaller team loads up the vans and sets out to make the deliveries of aid all over the affected areas of Kherson. This way, we ensure that not a single minute is wasted.
Razom team in Ukraine works daily on humanitarian deliveries to the Kherson region
Our team members making the deliveries speak to people on the ground and learn what their needs are to communicate them to the Razom community, including our large network of local NGOs. Many of our partnering organizations and grantees are on the ground in the Kherson region as well. Volonterska, HelpGroup, Stezhka Dodomy, Ukraina SOS, Fight for Rights, and many others have been delivering humanitarian aid to people in the region.
NGO Volonterska delivers humanitarian aid from Razom in the Kherson region
Two days following the destruction, NGO “Zakhyst” from Khmelnytskyi met the first evacuees. Using a $50k grant, they support the evacuation of 1,000 people from the flooded areas of the Kherson region, welcomed and provided them with essentials such as hygiene products, clothing, and food right at the train station upon their arrival. The organization also provided evacuees with psychosocial support.
GO “Zakhyst” welcomes refugees at Khmelnytskyi train station
While out teams continue to support people amidst humanitarian crises, Razom also works to mitigate the long-term consequences of the disaster and help Ukraine prevent future russian-made catastrophes.
On the day following the destruction, Razom Advocacy team in DC immediately picked up the work. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam fits the centuries-old pattern of colonial violence and is yet another manifestation of Russian genocidal intent in Ukraine — we work to make sure the world hears that. Therefore, we reached out to more than 2,000 people in our advocacy network and mobilized them to contact their Congressional representatives and ask for support for the resolution declaring Ukraine’s invasion to be genocide (H.Res. 154 / S.Res. 72).
We have also been working to connect Ukrainians affected by the flood with media outlets so that their story can be heard by the world and increased our engagement with elected officials and their staff to keep decision-makers aware of the latest updates directly from the ground in Kherson.
The destruction of the dam caused an environmental disaster and permanently disturbed the region. As a result of russian terror, the Kakhovka water reservoir disappeared, leaving tens of thousands in the entire south of Ukraine without access to drinking water. Razom Relief team earlier installed multiple water filtering stations in Mykolaiv and Donetsk regions together with Ukrainian partner Wise Water, and now we are working to procure these stations in Kherson and provide stable access to water.
Kherson still needs help. We continue supporting evacuees who lost their homes and delivering life-saving medicine to hospitals that are taking people from affected regions. Our teams in Ukraine, alongside our local partners, will make more trips to the Kherson region to bring humanitarian aid to those in need. Razom Relief team talks to local organizations to start future projects in the region.
We work with our numerous partners in Ukraine and employ all our resources to ensure the help arrives when and where it is needed, and we ask for your support.
In 2018, a young woman from Kharkiv learned about an orphaned baby boy suffering from an unknown disease at one of the public hospitals. Both of his parents died. All he had left was hospital staff and an IV in his little arm.
The young woman’s heart broke looking at that tiny 1-year-old boy weighing just about 9 pounds. She decided to do whatever it took to save his life. Joined by a close friend and a few other wholeheartedly caring people, they sought the best doctors, medicines, and resources. They went all out to give this boy the life he deserved.
The boy’s health slowly improved, but the bureaucratic red tape created many challenges. After fighting the adoption battle for almost a year, the young woman eventually found the boy’s aunt – somewhere deep in russian Siberia. Thankfully, the aunt took him in.
Today the boy is happy and healthy, and his new family is still in touch with the rescue team who saved his life. Today, this rescue team is trying to protect Ukrainian children from those who called themselves our “older brothers.”
That young woman’s name is Iryna Stroeva, and her close friend is Anna Vovk. Together these two extraordinary women founded an NGO called “Ordinary People” (ukr. Zvichayni Ludi) that’s been helping orphaned and disadvantaged children since July 2019.
The Razom Relief team (prev. Razom Grants) first learned about this NGO in May 2022. “Ordinary People” was amongst the first volunteer groups to organize the procurement and delivery of humanitarian aid in the Kharkiv region. Dictated by the brutal, inhumane war, volunteer initiatives were initially frantic and disjointed, but now the Ukrainian volunteer movement has become stronger than ever. Furthermore, it is growing into a powerful civil society with tremendous potential for rebuilding the country.
NGO "Ordinary People"
In the summer of 2022, Razom Relief granted “Ordinary People” $30,000 to aid Kharkiv residents. With these funds, volunteers provided food, water, medicines, and hygiene products to those who needed them most but had no access to any resources. All humanitarian packages were delivered hand-to-hand by over 250 volunteers.
Later, Razom provided a $17,000 grant for the residents of the recently liberated territories in the Kharkiv region. Once again, “Ordinary People” volunteers were the first to reach the remote areas and help people devastated by the russian occupation.
Since February 24, 2022, russian soldiers damaged over 3300 Ukrainian schools. Due to significant destruction, some towns and villages have no places for children to socialize or continue their education. Even the fields and forests, where children used to play and run free, are now covered in landmines.
The relentless violence and instability have forced parents to prioritize the safety and well-being of their children above all else. Many families sought refuge in safer regions or fled the country altogether. A lot of them want to come back home and move on with their lives, but the destruction of infrastructure makes it especially challenging.
One of Razom Relief’s current goals is assisting Ukrainian NGOs and charitable organizations in rebuilding spaces for children, creating new ones, and ensuring they have bomb shelters with all necessary equipment.
Having been helping children for many years, NGO “Ordinary People” developed a new project called “The Space of Ukrainian Invincibility” – a physical club dedicated to education, rehabilitation, and comprehensive support of children and teenagers who survived the russian occupation.
One such club has already been renovated in the town of Balakliya. There, “Ordinary People” bring a group of psychologists who work with children and their parents as a part of another project called “The Psychology of Invincibility.”
Another Space of Ukrainian Invincibility will be located in the town of Tsyrkuny. Technical surveys, renovations, window and door installation, electrical work, and finishing touches have been completed thanks to benefactors and microgrants. This club will provide a safe, secure, and engaging space for children of all ages and interests. The bomb shelter is also being renovated and is only 80 feet away from the club.
So far, Razom Relief has allocated close to $12,000 for this club in the Tsyrkunivska community. The grant aims to involve professional psychologists, teachers, musicians, athletes, and rehabilitation specialists who can provide children with a fulfilling life, including opportunities to socialize with peers, actively learn new skills, engage in sports activities, and grow into happy young adults. The funds will also cover the gas costs to transport children from the six nearby settlements to attend classes and workshops.
The first tour of the space happened just a few days ago. However, some work still has to be done, and the program’s long-term success will depend on the completion of repairs, the involvement of local residents, government agencies, and continued support from donors.
Once “The Space of Ukrainian Invincibility” in Tsyrkuny is fully operational it will provide:
Safe and secure space for 200 children;
The psychological support of licensed professionals and the physical protection of the bomb shelter;
Access to classes and workshops, extracurricular education, learning new skills, exploring and improving their talents, and simply being kids who are entertained and enjoying themselves;
Opportunities for local professionals to get employed and contribute to the well-being of their community.
by Yelena Ivlieva
PLEASE DONATE TO RAZOM RELIEF TO HELP US SUPPORT PEOPLE AND CHILDREN IN UKRAINE
Our regularly scheduled updates on major programs below, but also a spotlight on Advocacy and the amazing cultural events happening this season.
Dear Razom community,
In each newsletter, we try to share with you how your support impacts our programs for first responders and defenders on the frontline, the strained healthcare system, and the work of NGOs across Ukraine. You’ll still see those updates below, but a year into the war, we see how it has become even more important for Razom to advocate for Ukraine on multiple fronts, whether at the Oscars, Congress, or your inbox.
Razom sponsored the travel and stay in LA over the past week of four Ukrainian team members from the Danish-Ukrainian co-production A House Made of Splinters, a documentary film nominated for this year’s Oscars. Shot in 2019-2020, the film follows the life inside a halfway home for children whose parents aren’t capable of taking care of them near the frontlines in Lysychansk, Ukraine (a town currently under russian occupation, after which the shelter was damaged by a missile strike). As some parents succumb to the consequences of life in a region devastated by yearslong war, you get a rare and deeply touching glimpse at their children, who become larger than life heroes in a fight for their own happiness, childhood, and right to feel a family’s love. It’s the children’s hope and wisdom that captured us, so when we had the opportunity to support Azad Safarov (Assistant Director and Line Producer), Olena Rozavodovska (Project Coordinator and Co-Founder along with Azad of Voices of Children), and the incredible caretakers in the film Marharyta Mykolaivna and Olga Viktorivna on their working trip to the US, we signed on.
Not only did they represent Ukraine at the Oscars, but they spent every day giving interviews to national and international media raising awareness about russia’s crimes against Ukrainian children and their families during this war — those killed, abducted, and countless of their families, homes, and schools destroyed. You can learn more about the planned policy of deportation of Ukrainian children, a direct violation of the Genocide Convention, here, via a Twitter Space hosted by Razom Advocacy. You can watch A House Made of Splinters on Apple TV+ or Amazon Prime, you will not regret it.
Our team at Razom Advocacy continues its hard work advocating for Ukraine by holding high level meetings with government officials, conducting diverse research projects to support policy advancement, and doing outreach on social and traditional media to elevate Ukrainian experts and voices. So far this year, we’ve had over 20 face to face meetings across the legislative and executive branches, and we’re just getting started.
The Advocacy team invites you to join all of us at Razom at the Ukraine Action Summit on April 23-25, 2023 to advocate in person in Washington D.C. It’s the American Coalition for Ukraine’s 2nd Ukraine Action Summit consisting of advocacy workshops and trainings alongside Congressional meetings on Capitol Hill, where you’ll speak directly to lawmakers about Ukraine. Learn more and register here. During last year’s summit, participants joined 150 meetings with representatives from 30 states and 110 Congressional districts – help us surpass that record this year!
Here’s a bit more about what Advocacy is doing to bring Ukraine closer to victory – and how you can help.
Contact your representative! Constituent voices are an integral part of how lawmakers decide what bills to support – and Ukraine needs you. Our current campaign is pushing for the passage of the HARM Act: learn more. Plus, check out the Renew Democracy Initiative’s Hold russia Accountable campaign.
Follow us on Twitter and join us weekly on Fridays at 1pm EST for Twitter Spaces about Ukraine. This week’s topic: nine years since russia’s annexation of Crimea.
You can always learn more about the situation in Ukraine through our research reports on our website. Currently you’ll find info on ecocide, food security, & the Wagner Group during this war, and can read our latest op-ed: “Don’t Believe the Hype – Bipartisan Support for Ukraine Remains Strong in Congress”
Everyday Razom is grateful for the incredible community of donors that have come together consistently (and creatively!) to fundraise in support of Ukraine. We are proud to work with teams across the world to bring a diversity of programs and projects for you to connect with that have a direct impact on the lives of Ukrainians fighting a war on multiple fronts, the outcome of which will shape the century to come for all of us.
So when a generous donor from the states requested that their gift be used specifically to impact Ukrainian Defenders, our team put that money towards procuring and delivering 41 Motorola radios, 1 mobile shower/laundry, and 5 pickup trucks into the hands of battalions near the front line. The specialized mobile baths are a recent innovation manufactured right in Ukraine, supporting the local economy, while the cars were prepped by our team (including painting the initials of the donor’s father on every pickup) for medical evacuations. Check out the photos below of the soldiers taking the time to offer proper thanks by sending a gift of their own from Ukraine to the US.
Our team at Razom Health continues to be busy connecting the resources of our generous partners and in-kind donors to healthcare institutions with the greatest need across Ukraine, as well as gearing up for its next medical missions. Here’s the latest:
Some folks from Hearthstone Care based out of the Catskills in New York collected and helped transport a 53 foot-long container of medical beds and other durable medical equipment that we’ll ship and distribute to medical facilities across Ukraine.
As missile strikes continue to terrorize Ukrainian civilians across the country (just last week 81 were launched into every region of Ukraine), providing vital medications and medical supplies continues to be a need that Razom is able to address. Last week, another in-kind donation from our partners CMMB got distributed in Ukraine.
Photos of medical professionals wearing their brand new FIGS keep coming our way, this time from Ivano-Frankivsk, Sumy, and Odesa. FIGS deserves another special shoutout as they’ve been, and are committed to continuing, taking part in our medical missions like the upcoming Leap Global Missions, Face the Future, Face to Face, and Neurosurgeon medical trips throughout March, April, and May by providing the necessary medical scrubs for all of the American and Ukrainian surgeons and nurses taking part.
Partnering with four different US Medical Doctors Associations, Razom has organized four medical missions (so far!) for this spring as part of our Co-Pilot Project that aims to raise the level of medical and surgical care in Ukraine through trips by American physicians to exchange their expertise, and the provision of critical equipment aimed at building programs. You can learn about our most recent medical mission trip with AAFPRS (American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) in the “Face to Face” that offers Ukrainians, military and civilians alike, extremely complex reconstructive surgeries and a chance to have a normal life. Consider donating to support more of this work with Razom here.
Our team at Razom Relief continues to find, vet, and accelerate the impact of Ukrainian NGOs and grassroots aid initiatives across much of Ukraine whose ability to quickly step in to provide critical humanitarian support is unparalleled. Below a round-up of some recent initiatives:
Kyiv-based volunteer group Yangoly UA organized a movement called “Brave to Rebuild” and is leveraging support from Razom, Epicenter K, World Central Kitchen, and other local Ukrainian businesses & organizations to restore several damaged buildings at once. Led by a group of students in Kyiv after the de-occupation of nearby suburbs, they’ve organized over 1,500 volunteers (taking time between classes or on the weekends) in the past year to help clear debris and patch up buildings impacted by russia’s terrorist missile campaign. Sometimes they’ll collaborate with BUR (Building Ukraine Together), a Razom Partner since 2016 that runs youth camps that rebuild and repair homes for displaced Ukrainians.
In Summer 2022, VAAD Ukraine (the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Ukraine), started a psychological recovery program for women and children called “Renewal During the War.” Razom supported the 31st and 32nd camps (run in 2023) of the program, where in each, around 40 women and children got together for three weeks in safe corner of Ukraine to participate in individual and group therapy, art therapy and various creative classes.
A volunteer group called “Oops, Life In My City” successfully repaired and equipped a bomb shelter in a school in the city of Chernihiv thanks to Razom’s support. Border towns and cities in Ukraine are subjected to russian shelling almost daily, forcing those who refuse to leave behind their homes, to hide in bomb shelters. There are many such groups in Ukraine doing this work that Razom has been supporting for nearly a year now.
There are lots of excellent events happening across the US right now that bring special opportunities to connect with Ukrainian artists and culture and you can find our shortlist of them on our website. Below is a round up of a few we want to bring to your attention.
You do not want to miss this. Serhiy Zhadan, one of Ukraine’s most celebrated writers and a longstanding partner of Razom, is in the US on a big tour (he’s likely doing poetry readings in a city near you this week) is taking part in a special week of performances at La MaMa in NYC with Yara Arts Group. Get your tickets here.
Attention film lovers! Once you’re done streaming A House Made of Splinters, you’ve got at least 9 other films you can watch through Ukrainian eyes thanks to the Cleveland International Film Festival later this month. Here’s a list of the 8 features, 10 shorts, and 3 Razom supported projects we recommend: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpllL41vLmr/
You’ll definitely see us at the “Art in Time of War: Celebrating the Resilience of Ukrainian Culture” event at Low Library on March 27th. Hosted by The Harriman Institute & The President’s Office of Columbia University, you’ll get an opening address from Razom’s CEO Dora Chomiak, poetry, film, music, followed by a panel discussion and reception. Secure your tickets here.
We are so excited to be one of the sponsors of the “i am u are” Ukrainian Creators Fair in NYC March 24-26th! Come meet and support the modern creative industry of Ukraine — its culture, technology, art & design have always been here and are here to stay. Learn more and secure your tickets ASAP here.
As always, thank you for standing with Ukraine, for spreading the word about the amazing work featured all throughout this newsletter, and for joining us.
Razom is multifaceted support for Ukraine: to stop the shelling (Advocacy), to stop the bleeding (delivering Tactical Medicine), to keep people alive (at Hospitals), to keep Ukrainians connected (with radios, generators), to connect the world to Ukraine (with you). We are committed to victory.
Dear Razom community,
This is our first newsletter of the year and it’s been too long since the last, so you will see a lot of updates from us in this edition. After our year-end holiday fundraising drive (we raised over $8MM, you are all absolutely incredible), the Razom team decided to take stock of its work and impact in 2022 to effectively plan for 2023 (while still delivering on our programs). To do this required comprehending the sheer scale and length of this war, which at times feels like a herculean effort. So does thinking it will go on for another day, and another.
In the span of nearly one year, Ukrainian Armed Forces, perhaps the most diverse army in the world today (made up of professionals, musicians, ballet dancers, olympic athletes, history teachers, journalists, volunteers, sons & daughters and moms & dads… did you know that 1 in 6 people in the Ukrainian army are women?) have defended Ukraine and freedom against an imperialistic, genocidal power with massive consequences. Razom has supported these First Responders and Defenders from the start, and will continue to do so.
In the span of nearly an entire year, Ukraine’s healthcare system has withstood extreme pressure and strain that has risked and scarred the lives of countless individuals across the country as this war is not only impacted on the battlefield, but in the systematic bombing of hospitals, schools, malls, theaters, apartment buildings, homes, key water and energy infrastructure, and more. Razom has supported doctors and hospitals in the hottest regions across Ukraine from the start, and will continue to do so.
In the span of nearly an entire year, there’s been a renaissance of NGOs in Ukraine that have stepped up in incredible ways (much like during the Maidan of 2013-2014 when Razom itself was born) supporting a vibrant civil society. Razom has supported these grassroots organizations in Ukraine from the start, and will continue to do so.
All of these targeted efforts on their own, save lives, and when put all together, move Ukraine forward in winning this illegal war. Ukrainians have resisted and beat back this horror for 356 days now, but need your continued support today as ever before. Every time you donate, forward this to a friend, repost and tweet, call your representatives, rally, engage with the things that Ukrainians create – you become a part of the resistance and the victory.
In just the first half of February, Razom teams delivered a total of 132 orders to First Responders and Defenders, most of them in the east of Ukraine. We also transferred 4500 IFAKs to a major military unit so that they can be deployed quickly in case of an escalated assault on the one year anniversary of the full-scale invasion. In the months of December, January, and part of February, Razom fulfilled 641 orders (out of 745 which also went to medical facilities and NGOs) of tactical medicine and communications equipment to First Responders and Defenders. We constantly monitor requests so we can respond quickly with the supplies needed most that save lives.
Our team in Ukraine also launched an innovative collaboration to provide meals-ready-to-eat (MRE) that are made in Ukraine. We’ll share more in our next newsletter issue, but you can preview it here Проект «Космічний харч» – Razom (razomforukraine.org).
Each order makes it to the end user thanks to the effort of many hands. We are streamlining our processes so we can keep getting more efficient. Our Razom office in Lviv today was busy with people processing paperwork on deliveries that have gone out this week and preparing the next shipments.
Our support for the Ukrainian healthcare system is formalized under the project Razom Health, whose activities have evolved into a diverse set of programs and strategic partnerships designed to not only support the system during wartime, but strengthen medical care in Ukraine for the future in line with Razom’s mission. Here is a spotlight of some of our work over the past two months in gathering medical supplies, planning out the logistics of their delivery, and coordinating medical missions:
With grants from Americares and others, Razom Health was able to cover the costs of procuring, delivering, and installing backup hospital grade power generators and winterization equipment. So far three out of eleven generators have been installed (which includes training Ukrainian medical workers to use the equipment) and three oil heaters delivered in the Dnipropetrovsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Thanks to a grant and your generous donations, Razom Health was able to procure, set up, and distribute (with some still in transit to our warehouse in Ukraine) over 120 portable Butterfly ultrasounds so that doctors and paramedics on the front lines of the war can diagnose and treat patients faster, more accurately, and in a non-invasive way in wartime conditions.
In partnership with our friends and distribution partners Zdorovi in Ukraine, an anesthesia machine from Partners for World Health was delivered to a hospital in Dnipro.
In the aftermath of traumatic injuries caused by the war, many Ukrainian civilians are in need of durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches. Razom’s team of drivers continue to deliver these items (donated as a three-part installment from the Afya Foundation) to hospitals, rehab facilities, and nursing homes throughout Ukraine. In December, they made it to the Veterans Hospital in Kropyvnytskyi and Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro.
In partnership with Marsh Zhinok in Ukraine, who distributes prenatal vitamins as part of baby boxes for pregnant women, those who have just given birth, as well as women who are breastfeeding, we’ve been able to deliver 6 pallets of prenatal vitamins that will reach women in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions.
Over the holidays and well into the new year, our team has been distributing brand new scrubs from FIGS to boost the spirits of overburdened Ukrainian healthcare workers across the country.
Our Razom Grants project aims to support civil society at the most local levels across Ukraine. Non-governmental organizations, of which there are over 120 now that have received grants, address hyper local problems in regions that suffer most as a result of the war. During this winter season, our focus has been on electricity (which can be connectivity for school children, or warmth for the displaced and people in need) and basic humanitarian aid to regions in Ukraine that are experiencing the most extreme violence and destruction, i.e. closest to the front.
As of today, our team of drivers in partnership with our grantees have distributed 87 generators and 46 charging stations across Ukraine. They are largely for shelters, “Resilience Points,” humanitarian aid hubs, and institutions like PEN Ukraine International and Ukrainian Institute Kyiv. For example with Volonterska UA, we enabled them to deliver 14 generators as part of their goal to distribute them to every de-occupied village in the Kharkiv region where there is still no electricity. They were installed in village councils, administrative premises, medical stations, lyceums, cultural centers, hospitals, and more.
To get a sense of what life is like for civilians in de-occupied territories or towns that are on the front lines, one needs look no further than Bakhmut in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine [read our long-form blog post here]. Check out video footage from our grantees at Ukrainian Charity Alliance delivering aid there. One woman shares, “Along with the packages of humanitarian aid that you all deliver, you’re also delivering faith in that we are one Ukraine and that we are not forgotten.”
As we look ahead to the challenges in front of us, Razom has taken steps to systematize and scale our organization in order to better serve our mission, our projects, our donors, and our engagement with volunteers. For eight years Razom was a fully volunteer-run organization. In 2022, we started building a volunteer-driven organization with strong institutional support. Today this means transforming our Board into a governance board, compensating our CEO, and building out a full-time and part-time staff to support our programs sustainably. This month, we are also beginning our first-ever independent financial audit and continue to improve our systems and processes.
As we approach the one year mark of the full-scale invasion and of the intense sprint of our work together, we invite you to join people around the world to rally in support of Ukraine on Saturday, February 25th. We’re keeping a running list of rallies here, and if you’d like to get your city, town, or village added to it, please reply to this email. It’s vital to continue putting pressure on our governments and public to not be bystanders to the atrocity in Ukraine, to “defend the international legal order and peace project of the EU, to end an era of empire and weaken the prestige of tyrants around the world, and remind each other that democracy is the better system.” The list is a lot longer than that, and you can learn more here thanks to Timothy Snyder, a historian who specializes in the modern history of Central and Eastern Europe.
Join our advocates network to get the latest news from our Advocacy Team here: https://www.votervoice.net/RAZOMFORUKRAINE/Register There’s power in understanding key policy towards Ukraine to stay active and engaged with a war that’s impacted so many of us.
Thank you so much for reading this newsletter and hopefully passing it on, calling your representatives, joining us at events and rallies, and generously donating to our projects, and for showing your support for Ukraine. Stay razom (together).
P.S. – The 2022 tax receipts have now been sent out either by email or mail for donations totalling over $250 (please check your mailbox for the subject “Thank you for donating to Razom!”). If you have not received it, we might not have had your email or address, so please email us at donations@razomforukraine.org with “Tax Receipt” in the subject line and include your name and method of your donation.
“This is our native land. We are not going anywhere. We are Donbas.”
“I have a lot of elderly relatives here. I can’t leave them.”
“Everywhere is dangerous. The entire country is under fire. At least here we’re home.”
These are just a few quotes from people who, despite vicious daily attacks, remain in Bakhmut. russian airstrikes and shelling destroyed the infrastructure, leaving them with no water, electricity, or heat. Out of 72 000 residents, only about 6000 stayed, including 200 children. They are encouraged to leave by both the authorities and the volunteers, who offer regular evacuations. However, due to various personal circumstances, people stay. They are not many, but they are resilient.
The horrid reality of the “russkiy mir” (“russian world”, “russian peace”) isn’t new to Bakhmut’s natives. In April 2014, pro-russian forces managed to capture parts of the city, but after a few months of fighting, ZSU (The Armed Forces of Ukraine) and The National Guard expelled them from the area. With the start of the full-scale invasion, Bakhmut Raion (district), yet again, turned into a war zone.
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Winter escalation in the Battle of Bakhmut left its residents without food, water, medicine, communications, and other most basic necessities. The besieged city is struggling to stay standing, and the continuous bombardment of the area hinders humanitarian aid. And yet, in spite of all the obstacles, Ukrainian volunteers move mountains.
Razom saw the exigency of the situation and, with help from the Lackland Family Foundation and UJA-Federation of New York, provided monetary grants to the Ukrainian NGOs working in Bakhmut. Being on the ground and listening to people’s needs, they are able to provide quick and targeted assistance.
“We have to keep working. We must let them [Bakhmut residents] know they are not alone. Their compatriots did not abandon them. Ukraine did not abandon them.”
– Says Oleksii Kurtsev, a co-founder of Ukrainian Charity Alliance, an NGO helping underprivileged and vulnerable groups since 2018. Razom partnered with UCA in May 2022 and provided them with multiple grants for humanitarian aid.
The latest grant of $30,000 is directed to help the population of the frontline territories. Because of the developed logistics and systematic approach, the UCA team quickly and strategically delivers aid to the newly liberated territories and hot zones. Each humanitarian convoy makes a few stops in multiple cities and evacuates people to safety on the way back. To Bakhmut, they delivered 600 shelf-stable grocery sets. One set will feed one person for at least a month.
Another amazing NGO helping Bakhmut residents is called “Svitliachky Blago” (“Fireflies for Hope”). Siranush Arutiunian-Bozoian started this initiative in 2015. Over the years, she organized countless events to raise funds to purchase medical equipment for public hospitals and clinics and aid social institutions like orphanages and IDP centers in the Donetsk region. Heartbreakingly, Siranush was ill and has recently passed, but her life and work touched and inspired many people. The team of “Fireflies” that she brought together continues spreading light and kindness.
In response to russian aggression and the growing humanitarian crisis, “Fireflies” formed a permanent hub for receiving and distributing humanitarian aid and organized delivery and supply of first-aid care, medication for post-chemo treatments, cancer treatments, and epileptic patients. So far, Razom Grants has provided “Fireflies” with three grants totaling $30,000. The most recent grant of $8,000 was allocated specifically for Bakhmut Raion and already allowed for forming and distribution of almost 1000 grocery sets.
A grant of $10,000 was awarded to “Angels of Salvation,” a charity organization founded by citizens from Donetsk and Luhansk regions who’ve known war since 2014. Just a few days after the invasion, they started evacuating people and, in April 2022, formed a team of 60 co-owners, set up two warehouses, and built a fleet of 25 vehicles. Svitlana, “AoS” project manager, says there are no weekends at war. Every day volunteers risk their lives to aid people in need.
With the help of Razom’s grant, “Angels of Salvation” purchased fuel, delivered 457 hygienic kits serving approximately 800 Bakhmut’s residents, and evacuated 17 people on the way back. Some people were sick, and volunteers transported them to the hospital; others went to the safer areas, each of them with just one small bag. Reuters has recently reported a story of a six-year-old girl rescued from Bakhmut. In one of the videos, you can see Razom care packages with hygienic sets delivered by volunteers.
“Adrenalin” – a Kharkiv sports club turned volunteer organization – had also recently made a trip to Bakhmut. Volunteers delivered 800 grocery kits and 300 blankets to four Points of Invincibility – the aid stations equipped with wood-burning stoves, generators, heaters, Starlinks, and kids’ play areas – and brought trench candles, canned food, and candy to the soldiers. This trip was just one of the many made possible by the $30,000 grant from Razom.
Ruslan Bayramov, the president of “Adrenalin” and Kharkiv’s resident, seems unfazed by the situation in Bakhmut. He’s used to the reality of war:
“We went there on January 13 and faced no difficulties that day. Maybe we’re used to it now… You can hear gunfire and explosions around the clock. An enemy quadcopter was hovering above us.”
Razom started aiding NGOs working in Bakhmut in April 2022. “Bakhmut Ukrainian” has been active since 2014 when Bakhmut faced the first signs of “russkiy mir”: public disturbances, illegal armed groups, and refugees. Razom awarded them with a $25,000 grant that has helped thousands of people in the Donbas region during Spring-Summer 2022. BU volunteers provided people with food, medicine, hygienic products, candles, blankets, sleeping bags, thermos vacuum flasks, generators, and more.
Multiple volunteers confirm – many organizations responded to the emergency, and Bakhmut is now pretty well supplied with food. However, the need for water is urgent because of the destroyed infrastructure. It gets to the point where people drink boiled water from Bakhmutka River. The residents also need flashlights, batteries, candles, and biomass briquettes (biofuel), among other things.
Please, consider donating to Razom Grants to help us further aid volunteer organizations in Ukraine.
