We Build Bridges
To Empower Women
Zonta Club of Berkeley / North Bay and Beyond
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area Since 1936
We Stand With Ukraine
As of March 21st more than 3.6 million refugees have left Ukraine, while an estimated 6.48 million people have been displaced within the country. This means that a quarter of the entire population of Ukraine have left their homes.
With the work of Zonta District 27 money and funds are getting to Ukrainian refugees. This is one of the ways you can help.
From Zonta District 27 Governor, Ann Naets
Dear Zontians,
Zonta stands with our Ukrainian members, and with all people of Ukraine.
The situation has been on our minds this last week. It is not leaving us idle. We have been in contact with many of our members over the last few days. They are asking for our help with clothes, food, medicine, bandages and money.
Some areas or clubs are already taking action. These initiatives are very helpful but scattered.
There are several ways the district is reaching out to help, but we need your support as well:
1. If you want to make a donation, even a small amount, you can make a transfer to our district account: Zonta District 27, IBAN BE74 9530 3076 2507, Bic CTBK BE BX
We will transfer directly to our Zonta clubs in Ukraine.
2. If you have a room or vacant bed in your house where you can host refugees, please fill in this form
(link is external) We will get in touch with you to see how to organize your generous offer.
3. If needed, we will organize the transport of goods to the Polish border. How and when is to be determined later.
In the name of all our Ukrainian Zontians, I thank you for your generosity and solidarity. Working together in a good Zonta spirit will prove that we can make a difference.
To our Ukrainian Zontians and their loved ones, we wish them good luck and a lot of strength.
A friend in need, is a friend, indeed.
YES, I WANT TO HOST REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE
Thank you for your generosity.
Ann Naets
District 27 Governor
Additional Ways to help those in Ukraine
International Committee of the Red Cross. The Swiss-based organization is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross in helping those impacted by the war. Donate to the ICRC.
International Medical Corps. The first responders' organization has teams inside Ukraine and in the surrounding regions to offer medical and mental health services. Link to contribute.
Internews. Supports independent media and at-risk journalists in 100 countries, with regional hubs including in Kyiv. Donate here.
"Keep Ukraine's media going" is a GoFundMe campaign for journalists around Ukraine that also aims to help reporters relocate and continue their work from neighboring countries. Donations can be made here.
Kyiv Independent. The English-language news site has launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for support.
The 762 Project. Volunteers have been collecting, analyzing and posting information about Russia's troop buildup along Ukraine's border for much of the past year. Support the project here.
Project Hope. The global health and humanitarian relief organization is on the ground in and around Ukraine delivering medicines and medical supplies. It has teams in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and Romania. Donate here.
Razom for Ukraine. Started in 2014 and devoted to building a stronger democracy in Ukraine, the nonprofit is now "focused on purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss and other tactical medicine items." Here's a list of supplies it has purchased already and an appeal for more support.
Sunflower of Peace. The nonprofit's current mission involves providing medical and humanitarian aid to people impacted by violence in Ukraine. It's accepting donations through its Facebook page.
UNICEF. The global group devoted to safeguarding children is working to provide humanitarian supplies to families without safe water or electricity due to the conflict. Contributions can be made here.
United Way Worldwide. The world's biggest privately funded nonprofit has set up a relief fund in response to the intensifying humanitarian crisis to provide transportation, shelter, food and medicine, including infant supplies such as baby formula. Donations to the United for Ukraine Fund can be made here.
Voices of Children. The Ukraine-based charitable foundation has been offering psychological counseling, including art therapy, for children affected by war in the country's east since 2015, according to its site. The group is currently helping children and families across Ukraine, including helping with evacuations.
World Central Kitchen. Founded by world-renowned chef José Andrés after an earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, the group provides meals to people in need around the globe. Andrés is now feeding Ukrainian refugees at the Polish border. Those wanting to help finance the group can do so here.
From Zonta International:
On Friday 25 March at 11 AM EDT, Zonta International and Zonta International District 27 conducted a forum with a conversation how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlights the effects of armed conflict on civilian women.
Luba Maksymovych of Zonta Club of Lviv-Zamok
What a great #CSW66 forum on Women in Ukrainian War and UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. More than 300 listeners from all around the world!
It was very informative about the struggles of refugee women and children happening now in Ukraine with touching testimonials bringing us to tears.
We learned about the supportive efforts of Zontians in Germany and through out Europe and the three Zonta Clubs in Ukraine, Lviv, Lviv-Zamok ZC "Lviv-Zamok" D27, Area 04 and Zonta Uzhhorod.
Zontains around the world are providing donations and many European clubs are providing practical supplies and transportation to help refugees who have fled their homes.
Special thanks for those who spoke and brought to light the difficulties and hopes during this war in Ukraine:
Sharon Langenbeck, Ann Naets, Pamela Morgan, Megan Radvich, Regine Deguelle, and most specially to Luba Maksymovych and her work with Women’s Perspectives Center NGO a Transit Shelter for Women and Children in Lviv, Ukraine. Look to see where you can make donations on their webpage. http://www.women.lviv.ua/en/
Women and children are disproportionally impacted, as millions are forced to flee for their lives, separated from their loved ones, traumatized, and targeted for exploitation and abuse. At the same time, women are also at the forefront of the humanitarian response, grassroot volunteering initiatives and advocacy.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, women and children fleeing areas of active combat across the country have found respite with the Center Women’s Perspectives, an NGO in Lviv was found by Luba Maksymovych, a member of the Lviv-Zamok Zonta Club. Thousands of people arrive in Lviv every day, and both short- and long-term accommodation in the city are increasingly scarce.
Ukrainian Zonta members refer women and children who cannot find places to stay to the organization’s transit facility, where they can rest before continuing their journeys.
Where needed, shelter beneficiaries are assisted with transportation to the Polish border or finding and reaching temporary homes outside of Lviv. The Uzhgorod Zonta Club has also organized a shuttle from Lviv to Uzhgorod, from where people fleeing the war can get to the Hungarian or Slovakian border.
The work of the shelter is generously supported by Zonta members from all over the world, with the coordination of Zonta District 27.
