How to Help

Petition for Refugees

Dear Utahns, we need your help collecting 100,000 signatures for this petition. The migration of Ukrainian refugees has prompted swift international and regional responses, but such momentum is unlikely to sustain itself. Some world entities are already calling the refugee situation a ‘humanitarian crisis.’ We ask that the U.S. government waive U.S. visa requirements and/or grant refugee status to the Ukrainian nationals. The U.S. government and its constituents can save and shape many Ukrainian lives, which are now being abruptly and senselessly destroyed due to the unprovoked invasion of their country. Every day matters, so please act now!

Additional Ways to Help

By Jonathan Freedman, the honorary consul of Ukraine for Utah

Dear Members of the Ukrainian Community in Utah! The Embassy of Ukraine in the United States receives numerous requests about possible ways to provide financial support to the Ukrainian army and volunteers, protecting their country against the aggression.

Here are the contacts of trusted organizations:

Come back alive – works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc.
Army SOS - manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly
Hospitallers - works directly on the frontline
Phoenix Wings - the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army
Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement - a consolidation of female veterans, amongst other things organizes preparation for actions in case of emergencies and defense situations
Vostok SOS - raising funds for various needs of the army

Community Wellness

The Refugee and Immigrant Center run by the Asian Association has a long history of quality behavioral health services for the International community in Utah. Individual therapy, medication management and other services are available for individuals in the Utah Ukrainian community, including those who do not have insurance.

These services are available for those experiencing increased stress, depression, worry, having difficulty sleeping or other related problems due to the war in Ukraine. These services are also available for those who may be here visiting family or friends and cannot now return home. Services are available in person and via telehealth. If services are needed in a language other than English, professional interpreters will be provided.

Call 801-467-6060 or go to http://aau-slc.org/ or 155 South 300 West, Ste. 101, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101 to set up services today.

St. Patrick's Day Gift

Utah Ukrainian Association expresses sincere gratitude to our dear friends at Utah's Hibernian Society. On St. Patrick's Day they have donated $3,017 to UUA toward its efforts of sending aid to Ukraine. They also encouraged others to share in this act of kindness in the spirit of St. Patrick and make a donation to the association. 100% of the funds will go toward relief efforts from the war in Ukraine.

Watch this page in the upcoming days as we will start sharing additional reports about donations. We will also track the supplies every step of the way as they head to Ukraine and will share those updates with you. THANK YOU to our Irish brothers and sisters for your generosity and kindness!

Please check out these articles by ABC4 Utah and Fox 13 to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most effective way to help with the war efforts right now? Please call your representatives and write to them, asking to provide additional fighter jets and air defense systems to Ukraine. UUA is also accepting donations and sending supplies to Ukraine. Financial donations are most helpful. They allow us to purchase supplies in bulk, and cover the most immediate needs based on requests of our partners in Ukraine. They also allow us to buy supplies in Europe that may not be easily shipped from the US.

What will my donation go to? 100% of your donations go to buy life-saving tactical gear such as bulletproof vests; to charitable organizations that we have found to be effective and transparent, to hospitals, to civilian populations in the most heavily bombed cities, and to internally displaced persons in Ukraine who had to flee the bombings.

How do I know my donations will arrive in Ukraine successfully? UUA has been regularly shipping humanitarian supplies to Ukraine since 2015. We have delivered several shipments successfully since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. We work with established organizations on the ground in Europe and Ukraine to make sure your donations reach the areas with the most dire need. We provide photo reports of each step of the process.

I am a Ukrainian already in Utah but don't have a permanent residency or citizenship. What are my options? You may qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Extension of Stay. Please reach out via email or our Facebook page, and we will connect you with an attorney.

Can my Ukrainian loved ones come to Utah as refugees? On April 21 President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a new streamlined process to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The details of this program can be found here.

What resources are available for Ukrainians who arrive to Utah?
We recommend the following organizations:
International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City,
Catholic Community Services of Utah,
Save Somebuddy

I would like to sponsor a Ukrainian family to come under Uniting for Ukraine program. Where do I start? Please start by filling out form I-134 and following other steps outlined here.

Where can I buy a Ukrainian flag in Utah? We recommend Colonial Flag, 9390 S 300 W, Sandy, UT 84070.

I want to go fight for Ukraine. How do I go about it? We do not recommend it for anyone without prior military experience. If you have military training and experience, and are able and willing to fight for Ukraine, this Military Times article outlines the process.

I want to volunteer my time and skills. How can I help? Please fill out our volunteer form and mention any specific areas of interest or skills you would like to offer and your availability. We'll get back with you.

How else can I help? Please attend our events, help spread the word, or run your own fundraiser and we will be happy to partner with you. We need to keep as much focus on Ukraine as possible, and keep consistent pressure on the governments of the world to help stop this senseless war.

$10,000 in Aid Sent To Ukraine

We thank Utah for your generous donations on Feb. 26-27. On a very short notice, in a few hours, you responded to our call for help and ensured quick action during this humanitarian crisis. Our volunteers were able to collect donations, purchase and pack supplies, and ship them with support of the government. Ukrainians are very grateful for your help in this complicated for their nation time.

Invoice total:

1. Air Drones: 8
2. Walkie Talkies: 6x2
3. Military Aid Kits: 57
4. First Aid Kits: 105+
5. Survival Blankets: 10
6. Sleeping Bags: 20+
7. Water Fill Filtration Systems: 10
8. Pain Relief: 200+ packs
9. Cold Therapy: 100+ packs
10. Wound care/Bleed Stop/Triple Antibiotic/Rolled Gauze: 800+
11. Other medical supplies