As winter descends on Ukraine, the need for aid intensifies, yet donations have sharply declined. Humanitarian organizations report a significant drop in contributions, with essentials like clothing and vehicles urgently needed. Despite record donations in Germany, support for Ukraine has plummeted from over 250 million euros in 2022 to just ten million this year. Local initiatives, such as benefit concerts, aim to bolster aid efforts, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by those affected by the conflict.
Urgent Need for Assistance in Ukraine Amid Declining Donations
As the conflict in Ukraine enters its third winter, the demand for aid has surged, yet donations have seen a notable decline, according to various humanitarian organizations. Essential items such as shoes, clothing, and vehicles are urgently required on the ground.
Valentyna Sobetska, chairwoman of the ‘Children’s Aid Ukraine Rhein-Neckar’ association based in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, emphasizes this pressing need. The organization provides support to children and youth in her hometown of Swjahel, located approximately 200 kilometers west of Kyiv. “We have noticed a significant drop in donations,” Sobetska states. In the lead-up to Christmas, they typically send out numerous small gifts and critical medical supplies, including bandages, but monetary contributions have become their mainstay. Sobetska attributes the decline in donations to people feeling overwhelmed and fatigued by the ongoing war, as well as a rise in the number of aid organizations and the impact of inflation on personal finances.
Record Levels of Donations Yet Declining Support for Ukraine
Interestingly, donations in Germany have reached record levels, largely influenced by the Ukraine conflict. However, ‘Action Germany Helps’, an alliance of over 20 aid organizations, reports a stark contrast in contributions for Ukraine. This year, they have received only ten million euros, a sharp decrease from over 250 million euros in 2022. The funds are crucial for providing warm accommodations, heating stoves, blankets, and essential food supplies to Ukrainians during the harsh winter months.
Thilo Reichenbach, managing director for marketing and fundraising at ‘Action Germany Helps’, notes that the declining trend in donations is linked to multiple global crises, economic uncertainties, and growing fears about the future, causing individuals to retreat into their private lives. It is vital to continue supporting Ukraine, especially given the destruction and dire need for assistance as winter approaches.
Maxim Juschak, chairman of a Worms-based association dedicated to delivering aid to Ukraine, remains hopeful about the public’s willingness to contribute. He highlights the pressing demand for shoes in decent condition and notes that many new refugees are arriving, fleeing the conflict zones in southern and eastern Ukraine. The association primarily focuses on sending vehicles to assist in transporting people and distributing aid supplies, as wear and tear from Russian drone attacks on these vehicles is a significant concern.
In an effort to raise additional funds, Juschak’s organization is hosting a benefit concert on December 13, featuring a Ukrainian pianist, with the proceeds aimed at acquiring more vehicles for their vital work.
Finally, Michael Zaczkiewicz, an ophthalmologist from Bad Dürkheim, underscores the importance of donations for his long-standing project supporting the ‘Dzherelo’ center for disabled individuals in Lviv, Ukraine. Despite a noticeable drop in overall donations, he remains optimistic about local support, having raised nearly 11,000 euros at a recent benefit concert. He urges continued generosity, stating, “When our projects are well-defined, people are willing to contribute.” Sobetska echoes this sentiment, appealing for ongoing support, emphasizing that “Ukraine is also fighting for Germany.”