Ukraine humanitarian crisis

New Zealand Red Cross is raising funds to support international Red Cross teams on the ground in and around Ukraine. We’re also sending our own humanitarian experts to assist in the response.

On this page:

People in Ukraine are suffering

The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine is causing indescribable loss and suffering for civilians – a staggering 27 million people have been impacted.

Since February 2022, and the escalation of conflict, millions of people have fled their homes, thousands have died and been injured, and civilian infrastructure has been heavily damaged and destroyed. More than six million people have crossed Ukraine’s borders to seek safety. The majority are in 17 neighbouring countries, while some have travelled as far as New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

How your support is helping

The generosity of New Zealanders means we have now raised over NZD$5 million to help people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

The international Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, of which we are a part, has assisted more than 18 million people affected by the conflict. National Societies, like New Zealand Red Cross, have been fundraising locally to send donations to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) so that local Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, can provide much needed humanitarian relief to people in need.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, donations are being used to assist Ukrainians who arrived under the Special Ukraine Visa to find work to support themselves and their families. Through our Pathways to Employment – Ukraine project, we’ve been able to support almost 100 people in their search for work, with over a third finding paid employment.

Funds also allow National Societies to send international delegates to the region to support the response. You can read more about the work of our New Zealand Red Cross delegates and our Pathways to Employment – Ukraine project further down this page.

More information on the ICRC humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis

You can help support the relief effort by donating to our Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Donate now

Latest stories

21 October 2024

New Zealanders’ support helps thousands of people affected by the conflict in Ukraine

The generosity of New Zealanders means we have raised just over NZD$5 million to help people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

Ukrainians finding work through Red Cross’ employment service

Olga and her daughter Kseniia arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand eight months ago carrying just their backpacks. They were the last of her immediate family to leave Crimea - a Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia.

Ukraine: Two years on

Two years since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict, fighting and shelling are still everyday realities for millions of people living in Ukraine. The scale of destruction is immense. Ukrainians have lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, and are struggling to get the basics necessary for survival.

International Humanitarian Law

Even wars have laws. As guardian of International Humanitarian Law, ICRC is speaking with representatives on both sides of the conflict, advocating for the safety of civilians and for all international humanitarian laws to be upheld.

This includes:

allowing the safe passage of relief supplies to victims
allowing the safe passage of civilians away from conflict areas
restricting the use of certain weapons
restricting attacks to military targets only.

International Humanitarian Law information

Misinformation about the work of Red Cross

All members of the international Red Cross Red Crescent Movement follow the principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. This allows us to carry out our humanitarian work to help people in need, irrespective of who or where they are.

False information about the work of the Movement is sometimes published on social media and elsewhere by people who don’t understand our role in conflict situations.

New Zealand Red Cross delegates

Aid supplies for Ukrainians

We sent two technical experts to the conflict region to assist with the relief effort. They were part of our International Delegate Programme and were working with the IFRC.

John Dyer, a security systems expert spent five weeks in western Ukraine. He developed a security plan to ensure humanitarian aid could be delivered to people in need.

International delegate returns from Ukraine

Natalie Gyles, an information systems expert was based in countries bordering Ukraine for three months. She was instrumental in setting up an extensive digital cash and voucher assistance programme, accessed via a mobile phone app.

Cash assistance provides vital, dignified support for Ukrainians

Ways you can help

New Zealand Red Cross is continuing to raise funds. If you are in a position to support our humanitarian effort, please donate to our Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Donations will be used to help those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and surrounding countries, as well those affected in New Zealand.

DONATE ONLINE

Organise your own fundraiser

You can create your own fundraising event and we will donate the funds you raise to Ukraine.

Information on creating your own fundraiser

Contact missing family in Ukraine

If you live in Aotearoa New Zealand and have lost contact with your family members in Ukraine, reach out to our Restoring Family Links service.

New Zealand Red Cross does not process visas. To help your family in Ukraine come to New Zealand, visit Immigration New Zealand’s website for information about visa applications.

New Zealand citizens and permanent residents currently in Ukraine should register with SafeTravel.