As the Russian military invasion of Ukraine has unfolded, so too has a humanitarian crisis that has forced civilians to flee their homes or take refuge in bomb shelters and subway stations throughout the country.
As the world watches on TVs and smartphones, it's a natural thought to want to help in some way.
Here are some organizations that are asking for assistance:
UNICEF
UNICEFsupports health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.
"Heavy weapons fire along the line of contact has already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities in recent days," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell in a statement.
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Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
MSF runs a range of activities in Ukraine where they work with local volunteers, organizations, health care professionals, and authorities to help people travel to health care facilities and access prescribed medications.
Voices of Children
The Ukrainian organization's "Charitable Foundation" helps children affected by the warto provide psychological and psychosocial support to children to help overcome the consequences of armed conflict, according to its website.
Voices of Children's efforts of support for kids include art therapy, video storytelling, providing mobile psychologists and even individual help for families.
Sunflower of Peace
The nonprofit organization is currently raising money to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
Each backpack is designed for groups of 5-10 people, which includes an array of first aid supplies — such as bandages, anti-hemorrhagic medicine, medical instruments and more, according to the organization's Facebook.
International Committee of the Red Cross
This Switzerland-based organization is aiming to help people affected by the conflict and support the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
Save the Children
Save the Children, based in London, helps to deliver lifesaving aid to vulnerable children in Ukraine and around the world. According to its website, the organization says it is on the ground in the U.S. and other parts of the world "delivering essential humanitarian aid."
"We are gravely concerned for children in Ukraine, Afghanistan and around the world who might be caught in the middle of armed conflict, forced to flee their homes and exposed to injury, hunger and sub-zero temperatures," the organization writes in a statement online.
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
The international organization aims to provide emergency assistance to families in Ukraine — providing aid such as relief efforts, cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement in the U.S.
"UNHCR is working with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance wherever necessary and possible. To that effect, security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed," the organization saidin a statement.
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