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Ukraine Crisis

Ukraine Crisis

Ukraine Crisis

 A global humanitarian response

 A global humanitarian response

As the conflict in Ukraine unfolds, the American Red Cross has contributed millions to the global Red Cross network to help alleviate suffering. This support allows teams on the ground to provide lifesaving aid — like food, shelter, water, medical care and mental health support — to the millions displaced within Ukraine and throughout neighboring countries. 

Since the conflict intensified, the Red Cross network has leveraged its local and international resources to help those in need. As people crave a semblance of normalcy, the Red Cross is there to provide comfort and care.

The Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Partners share the same Fundamental Principles and work together to carry out its mission. Our Movement is composed of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and national societies—like the American Red Cross. 

Learn how we cooperate, the mission each group carries out, and how the three distinct parts work independently and in support of one another.

About the Global Red Cross Network

The Global Response

 Delivering emergency aid, including food, bedding, water and hygiene items.

Providing medical care to the wounded and first aid training to people in Ukraine. 

 Helping refugees connect with missing loved ones.  

Mission Moments

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Ukraine. 9-year-old Alyona has come to the Red Cross office in Uzhhorod with her mother to receive food and hygiene items from volunteers. “I want to become a Red Cross volunteer and I want to help,” Alyona said. Photo by Marko Kokic/IFRC.

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Hungary. At a warehouse in eastern Hungary, IFRC has prepositioned 20 truckloads of relief supplies destined for Ukraine, including blankets, tents, first aid kits, hygiene and kitchen sets, mattresses and more. Photo by Marko Kokic/IFRC.

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Romania. Romanian Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to help families who've fled Ukraine. Teams are providing food, water, diapers, hygiene supplies, warm gloves and other necessities. Photo by Jenelle Eli/American Red Cross.

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Romania. "There's a crisis and I can help. I wouldn't feel good if I didn't help," said Andre, an 18-year-old Romanian Red Cross volunteer. When people arrive in Romania, the Red Cross welcomes them with food, water, hygiene items and more. Photo by Jenelle Eli/American Red Cross.

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Slovakia. Millions of people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, most of them women and children. When refugees arrive in Slovakia, the Red Cross is there to offer warming shelters, provide referrals to essential services and administer first aid to those in need. Photo by Slovak Red Cross. 

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Hungary. Hungarian Red Cross has over 300 volunteers assisting people arriving from Ukraine. These parcels contain bedding and hygiene items. Photo by the Hungarian Red Cross.

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Hungary. IFRC Europe Regional Director Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen visits the Humanitarian Service Point in Lónya, Hungary. Here, Red Cross teams are providing health services and running reception centers to welcome people. Photo by Nora Peter/IFRC.

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Poland. Magdalena Michutka Kuras, a volunteer paramedic, receives notice of another train arriving from Ukraine and is ready to distribute toys to children. “It is nice to see how happy they are when they are given a toy,” she said. Photo by Anette Selmer-Andresen/IFRC.

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Hungary. Francis and Frank were students in Ukraine when violence erupted. “The Red Cross has been very generous, they offered us food and tea, and helped make food for my baby.” Photo by Nora Peter/IFRC.

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Poland. A mother cries in desperation upon arriving in Poland. Here, the Red Cross has a medical post in the station and works with local ambulance services to transport people in need of urgent care to the hospital. Photo by Arie Kievit, Netherlands Red Cross. 

Red Cross News
Red Cross Helps Soldier
Red Cross Helps Soldier Reunite with Dying Grandfather Who Inspired Military Service
June 29, 2023
Maryna Sereda, a Ukrainian refugee, is living in an apartment in Chisinau, Moldova. Maryna has spent most of the last year living less than sixty miles from her native Ukraine, but in what feels like a world away to her.
Ukraine Crisis Rages on One Year Later: American Red Cross Donors’ Support Vital to Ukraine and Impacted Countries
March 17, 2023
Liubov is staying at a shelter in Hungary
Ukraine: Red Cross Helps Build Community Amid Uncertainty
January 13, 2023
2022 Crisis Response: At Red Cross Shelter for Ukrainians, Soup Warms Hearts During Cold Winter
December 16, 2022
View All

The Role of the American Red Cross

Thanks to generous donors, the American Red Cross has contributed funds to the IFRC, ICRC and to the Danish Red Cross to support vital work being done in Ukraine and in surrounding countries. These funds help the most vital humanitarian needs including food, shelter, critical care items and first aid.

International crisis responders from the American Red Cross have deployed to Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania to provide humanitarian relief. These highly trained crisis responders are lending skills such as crisis leadership, information management, cash assistance programming, GIS systems, and communications.

In line with its work caring for military families, the American Red Cross has sent trained staff to Europe to support emergency communication needs of U.S. military members, so they can stay in touch with family members back home through our Hero Care Network.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent in Times of Crisis

Geneva Conventions

The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is united by a central purpose: to help alleviate human suffering. 

Learn more

The Emblem

The Red Cross emblem is a protective symbol strictly regulated under humanitarian law. In armed conflict, it may be used by medical staff and facilities, including army medics and vehicles. It may also be used by Red Cross and Red Crescent workers, vehicles, facilities and the humanitarian relief they bring.

Learn more

Rules of War and International Humanitarian Law

Throughout this crisis, the ICRC has called on authorities to adhere to international humanitarian law and to protect civilians and infrastructure delivering essential services, including power and water facilities, schools and hospitals.

Read Statement

Battling Misinformation

Recently there has been a great deal of misinformation circulating online about the role of our Red Cross partners regarding humanitarian work in and around Ukraine. Specifically, false narratives about the International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) neutrality and role on the ground have the potential to cause real harm to all Red Cross teams, partners and the many people who need urgent help. As needs increase by the hour, the ability for Red Cross teams to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance is being jeopardized by the surge of misinformation about the role the organization plays to alleviate suffering in armed conflict. 

Read more about the specific claims and the facts. 

Resources

If you are trying to locate or get in touch with a U.S. citizen, please contact the U.S. Department of State Overseas Citizens Services Office online or call 1-888-407-4747. However, if you are looking for a family member who is not a U.S. citizen but is located in either Ukraine or Russia, the Red Cross may be able to reconnect you through our Restoring Family Links program.

In neighboring countries where Ukrainians have fled, the Red Cross is distributing SIM cards for cell phones and hosting mobile charging stations, so people can get in touch with their loved ones. Red Cross teams are also opening tracing cases for those whom have lost touch. Teams will continue to work together to help reconnect families, despite considerable challenges on the ground.

ICRC resources for people needing urgent help in Ukraine, including medical care, evacuation support, mental health support, shelter and safety tips.

The IFRC Psychosocial Center also has resources for talking to children about war.

Access a comprehensive guide for people fleeing Ukraine.

  • From the ICRC website, read Our Work in Ukraine
  • From the IFRC website, read Ukraine Questions Answered
  • The ICRC and IFRC have a comprehensive list of resources, including maps, press releases, videos, photos and stories, further expanding upon Red Cross efforts in the region
  • Read this article for information about our continued support 
  • Read the Three-month Report for detailed information on the American Red Cross response
  • Read the Six-month Report for detailed information on the American Red Cross response.

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