Work is being done across Scotland and beyond to support those on the ground in Ukraine

People across Scotland have been urged to do what they can to support the ongoing war in Ukraine as pleas for aid and donations are shared by charities across the country. 

A week on from Russia’s initial invasion of the eastern European nation, fighting continues in cities across Ukraine with hundreds of thousands already having fled to neighbouring countries. 

Humanitarian pleas have come from those on the ground, with appeals for help being launched internationally and by local groups worldwide. 

These calls for support include the launch of an emergency appeal by a charity in Glasgow, who hope to provide targeted aid to Ukrainians fleeing their homeland.

Glasgow the Caring City sent a first tranche of requested aid containing warm blankets, fresh new clothing and children’s shoes which are now bound for the border with Poland.

The group has set an initial target of £10,000 to provide further support via local partners, getting Ukrainians exactly what they need when they need it.

Ross Galbraith, Glasgow The Caring City’s crisis resilience manager, said: “This is primary aid requested by local partners and focuses on children and female’s welfare, as well as basic first aid for people appearing with injuries and illness.”

Mr Galbraith will travel to Ukraine, arriving later this week, hoping to procure the supplies needed if fundraising is successful. 

In Edinburgh - twinned with Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, local charities have also continued their own links with Ukraine and are offering support to those on the frontline. 

The city’s branch of the Association of Ukranians in Great Britain (AUGB) said it had been inundated with offers of support and help, with plans to open its Ukrainian Community Centre in Royal Terrace as a main donation point for vital aid this week. 

Charities linked to Hibernian FC have also played their part in offering support after a meeting between the Edinburgh club and Ukrainian side Dnipro in 2005. 

The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation (HSF) announced that all proceeds from an upcoming prize draw will go to Ukraine, with work done alongside Dnipro Kids, another charity founded following the game 17 years ago to help support the work of orphanages in the city.

On Monday the Scottish Government announced its own funding support for the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. 

An initial £4million in humanitarian aid will help provide basic humanitarian assistance, including in health, water and sanitation, and shelter.

In addition to financial aid, the Scottish Government will provide medical supplies to Ukraine.

The supplies provided are based on a list of urgently needed medical equipment, supplies and pharmaceuticals provided by the Ukrainian Government via their Edinburgh consulate.

The supplies to be provided will include anaesthetic machines, syringe pumps and bandages.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “There will be much more that we need to do in the days to come. But one thing is already clear. Words of support are not enough. 

“Ukraine needs our active help and support now, and we will provide as much practical support as possible, starting immediately.”

On Tuesday the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine for those looking to help with the crisis.

SCIAF’s Ukraine appeal will help people in need of emergency food, water, safe accommodation, hygiene kits, transport and child support services during this humanitarian catastrophe.  

Alistair Dutton, chief executive of SCIAF, said: “Within one week, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.  Now they are fleeing for their lives, desperately afraid and clueless as to what the future holds. As we watch the unfolding events in horror, we know that people want to help.   

“We pray for restraint, peace and security in the coming days.

“This crisis is a reminder of the suffering people face around the world at the hands of conflict. SCIAF is proud to help people in times of need with the help of generous Scots.”  

Charities across Britain have done their own work to try and gather financial and humanitarian support for those affected by the conflict. 

The British Red Cross have expressed their concerns about the escalation in fighting in recent days, and launched their own appeal for donations. 

The AUGB have set up a GoFundMe to support accredited Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food and critical services, while the Ukrainian Red Cross have also unveiled their own fundraiser.  

The Voices of Children Foundation has been helping children affected by the war since 2015, and continue to call for donations to support children in various villages and towns along the frontline in Donetsk and Luhansk regions with psychological and psychosocial support. 

The UNHCR refugee agency is collecting monetary donations for humanitarian assistance, emergency shelter and relief items like blankets, while Unicef said it was accepting donations to help ensure child health and protection services are sustained. 

Save the Children has launched an emergency fund where donations will go towards essential humanitarian aid, while Sunflower of Peace prepares first aid medical backpacks for paramedics and doctors.