Crisis in Ukraine

YMCAs throughout the U.S. stand in solidarity with the young people, families and communities affected by the crisis in Ukraine, marking Europe's biggest refugee crisis since World War II. In 2024, there are an estimated 3.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine and approximately 6 million refugees in Europe (UNHCR).

YMCA of the USA’s World Service Campaign partners with YMCA Ukraine, YMCA Europe, and the World YMCA to aid those affected by the conflict and strengthen the response by YMCAs.

The US YMCA movement and YMCA Europe have worked closely together since 2022 to provide vital support to over 400,000 youth, women, and families since the onset of the crisis. The majority are internally displaced Ukrainians in 21 locations in the country and Ukrainian refugees in 18 countries throughout Europe.

Collectively YMCA of the USA and YMCA Europe raised over $17.5 million in cash and in-kind support. The support includes humanitarian assistance (food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies), social integration services (language courses, legal support, camps, and veteran integration services) and youth and women’s education and employment services (formal and non-formal education, job training and placement and small enterprise development).

YMCA of the USA and YMCA Europe are also working to strengthen the leadership, governance, program delivery and financial systems of YMCA Ukraine and neighboring countries deeply involved in the humanitarian response to ensure the YMCA emerges stronger in the region once the war ends.

Please consider making a gift below to YMCA World Service to provide immediate, mid- and long-term support for YMCAs serving those affected by the crisis.

Your supports provides:

• Ongoing emergency aid and mental health counseling for Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people (including YMCA staff and volunteers) in Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic
• Training and coordination through local, national, regional and global response efforts
• Community Learning Hubs at 12 local YMCAs in 4 countries, providing training and therapy for more than 15,000 refugees and IDPs
• Camp Europe (via YMCA Europe Roots for Peace) serving hundreds of youth
• YMCA Veteran Initiative Ukraine supports community integration and healing programs
• Campacity – a shared initiative between YMCA Europe and YMCA of the USA that builds capacity for YMCA leaders to support the healing and development of young people exposed to conflict, strengthening personal and community well-being.
• And much more

To learn more, please email: [email protected]