How Can You Can Help Ukraine Right Now?
The International Institute of St. Louis condemns acts of aggression and violence that currently are taking place with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Over the past several weeks, we have continued to get questions from community members, partner organizations, media, and more about what can be done to help.
Currently, we are not seeing large numbers of Ukrainian refugees seeking third-country resettlement here in the U.S. This could change in the future but would require quick and swift action by the federal government. However, there is still work that can be done. Our biggest ask of you is to support and contribute to international emergency aid organizations at this time. These are front-line organizations providing immediate assistance to those in need overseas. When and if third-country resettlement is provided for those fleeing Ukraine, the International Institute will serve as a welcoming beacon to newcomers in St. Louis. We will be sure to update you with ways to lend your support directly in our region.
International Institute of St. Louis & Project HOPE
International Institute of St. Louis is happy to announce our partnership with Project HOPE. Project HOPE is working with local non-profit organizations and hospitals in Ukraine to provide lifesaving medicine, supplies, and other relief to health care workers and families facing devastating health crises. We at the International Institute of St. Louis want to ensure that now, while we are not seeing many Ukrainian immigrants coming to the region, yet we are providing help and support where it is most needed.
So far through Project HOPE, 22 pallets of medicine, 7 Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK), and 45 Essential Health Kits (EHP) have been delivered to Ukraine. A single EHP contains a minimum of 800 courses of treatment, including a broad assortment of over the counter and prescription medicines such as antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti-fungal and antiparasitic. Each IEHK can serve a population of 10,000 (about the seating capacity of Cameron basketball stadium at Duke University) people with essential medicines over three months (or 30,000 in one month).
As the U.S. has recently announced that we will look to accept 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russian aggression, we are still awaiting what that may look like and translate to state-side. This announcement is not time-bound and we do not have a prediction yet on when we will reach this number. We will have a better sense of the specific pathways and numbers of people arriving in the United States in the weeks to come. We will be sure to keep you updated with information as we receive it.
Local Support Opportunity
Along with rallies and marches that have been conducted over the past month, International Institute is also accepting monetary donations in preparation for when Ukrainian families may move to the U.S. You can submit donations through our website: www.iistl.org/donate.
You can also show your support by purchasing yard signs through Fast Signs of Bridgeton. You can order them by calling the store (314-344-4440) or emailing 270@fastsigns.com. A portion of proceeds will be donated to International Institute of St. Louis.