Ukraine – first and foremost a human tragedy, beside energy implications

Ukrainian flag (source: flickr/ Just Click's With A Camera, public domain)

Alexander Richter 7 Mar 2022

No one can escape news of the atrocities happening in the independent country of Ukraine right now, as well as the numerous articles written on the implication of the energy market worldwide and in particularly in Europe.

Strategic evaluations are being presented on how Europe (and other regions) can replace Russian oil and gas, something we all have been working on in one way or another as part of the energy transition. There are tons of LinkedIn posts of that nature and of course I am inclined to present my view on this in the context of geothermal energy here as well soon.

But – and there is a huge but – the one thing that we should not forget it is a human tragedy with now more than 1.5 million refugees, destruction, senseless loss of lifes, changing the lifes of millions of Ukrainians for decades to come, creating trauma for millions of Ukrainian children, seeing Russians elsewhere in the world harrassed for “their” autocrat leader’s war etc … let us not forget to mention the human aspect beside the obvious and right energy implications.

Do you want to support Ukraine and Ukrainians effected by the war led against them, here a few options (shamelessy stolen from a great article shared by Sigrun, a coach and friend)

Thank you to the fantastic support of refugees by the neighbouring countries Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

Support charitable organisations on the ground

People in Need
This is one of the most respectable organisations in the Czech Republic and they are now focusing their efforts on helping Ukraine on the ground.

Red Cross
The International Committee of the RED CROSS is helping people affected by the conflict and is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Doctors without borders
The work of the Doctors without borders in Ukraine has been focused on the pandemic and the Eastern Region.

Razom
Razom was originally founded in 2014 to support Ukrainians after Russia annexed Crimea. Now, the volunteer organization is on the ground providing relief for soldiers and doctors on the frontlines.

United Help Ukraine
Nonprofit volunteer organization that distributes medical supplies, food, and donations to Ukrainian people and refugees on the ground in Ukraine, as well as, supports Ukrainian families who have lost soldiers to war.

UNICEF
Provides safe drinking water, nutrition, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
The international organization aims to provide emergency assistance to families in Ukraine — providing aid such as cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement in the U.S.

UN Ukraine Humanitarian Fund
The Ukraine Humanitarian Fund is one of the UN’s country-based pooled funds. Contributions are collected into a single, unearmarked fund and managed locally under UN leadership.

Help children in need

Voices of Children
Charitable Foundation Voices of Children helps children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine. They provide psychological and psychosocial support to children to help them overcome the consequences of armed conflict.

Save the Children
Since 2014 Save the Children Ukraine branch has provided lifesaving interventions across Eastern Ukraine. They support the basic needs of the most vulnerable families, proving food, shelter, coal, multi-purpose cash grants, clothing and medicine.

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