Jewish Federations Distribute Emergency Funds for Ukraine Aid to 35 NGOs

From Jewish Federations of North America:

Jewish Federations are proud to announce that we have allocated some $40 million of the $43.4 million we have raised to 35 NGOs operating on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to support refugees and Jewish communities in their time of need.

Both The Jewish Federations of North America and individual Federations have driven funds to our partner agencies The Jewish Agency for Israel, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and World ORT.

These groups are providing immediate relief and direct services to vulnerable populations and are maintaining basic service delivery, to the degree possible, providing housing, clothing, medication, cash assistance, mental health services, security, and transportation for refugees fleeing the war and those seeking to make Aliyah.

According to our estimates, our funds have already had impact in the following ways:

  • 12,100 refugees have been fed and housed

  • 7,000 refugees have received on-the-ground support in Ukraine

  • 5,500+ Jewish Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Israel

  • 7,800 beds have been rented

  • 55,000+ calls have been received at various hotlines

  • Served as the lifeline for 18,000 Jewish elderly and 2,500 poor Jewish children

The Federation system has also expanded the size and scope of its partnerships to a slew of additional organizations that are finding important other ways to help refugees. Some of the funded organizations and their programs include:

  • The Emergency Volunteer Project: The Emergency Volunteer Project will use its fleet of mobile kitchens to deliver hot meals to Ukrainian refugees who are being hosted by Israeli families. Meals are prepared and delivered by Israeli and American volunteers.

  • Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS): HIAS is working through its partner organization in Ukraine, Right to Protect with a focus on serving the most vulnerable Ukrainian refugees, especially women, girls, the elderly and families. It is providing training and technical support; and cash assistance for accommodation, transportation and the purchase of basic needs.

  • Hillel International: Hillel International is hosting and providing support to Ukrainian Hillel students and other Jewish refugees in the Hillel Centers in the surrounding countries.

  • The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC): ITC is using its extensive global experience to train Jewish and non-Jewish personnel in Ukraine and the surrounding countries on how to assist those affected by the conflict, many of whom are suffering from severe psychological trauma. ITC is also providing direct care to Ukrainian olim and the families of Ukrainians living in Israel.

  • JCC Krakow: JCC Krakow is helping thousands of Ukrainian refugees. The JCC is housing refugees; providing day care; collecting and distributing humanitarian supplies and medicines in Poland and Ukraine; helping evacuate refugees and arranging transport onwards; and facilitating psychological support.

  • The Jewish Community of Vienna: The Jewish Community of Vienna has set up an initial refugee reception center to provide temporary housing and other services. It is also providing longer term housing, food and financial assistance and medical and psychological care for Jewish refugees.

  • Nefesh B’Nefesh: In partnership with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Nefesh B’Nefesh is providing tailored support to Ukrainian lone soldiers serving in the IDF and supporting the families of Ukrainian lone soldiers who make Aliyah.

  • Project Kesher: Project Kesher is leveraging its decades of work in Ukraine to facilitate the evacuation of Ukrainian women and children and to help them to receive support in host communities. Project Kesher alumni are providing country appropriate advice and micro-grants to those who are most vulnerable.

  • Shma Yisrael: Shma Yisrael is arranging transportation and safe housing away from the conflict for students of the three Ukrainian schools in the Shma Yisrael school system.

  • United Hatzalah: United Hatzalah is providing emergency medical services and other relief to refugees as they cross out of Ukraine and into Moldova.

The funds are also supporting the Jewish Federations’ creation of a first-of-its-kind central volunteer hub that will recruit and place hundreds of skilled volunteers over the coming months to provide much-needed services on the ground through our partner aid organizations.

“Jewish Federations have a clear strategy for saving Jews around the world,”’ said Jewish Federations President and CEO Eric Fingerhut.

“The skill and expertise we have been witnessing in the relief efforts in Ukraine and in the bordering countries is the result of years of our experience, training, relationship building, and fundraising. The impact of the refugee crisis and the devastation is going to be with us for a long time and Jewish Federations are committed to providing support and advocacy from the frontlines long after the headlines go away.”

For more information or to donate, visit: jfeds.org/CrisisInUkraine.

WORLD, FederationJorie Slodkijfna, ukraine