Ukraine Support
Delivering humanitarian aid and long-term support to Ukrainian communities at home and abroad.
Since the escalation of conflict in February 2022, the Irish Red Cross has worked closely with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the wider Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to support people affected in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries.
Today, humanitarian needs remain severe. Millions still struggle to access essential services, many have been displaced for years, and an estimated 15 million people require mental health and psychosocial support. Prolonged insecurity, separation from loved ones, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods continue to cause deep stress, trauma and grief.
The generosity of the Irish public has been extraordinary. With your support, the Irish Red Cross is meeting urgent needs while also investing in long-term recovery for communities affected by the conflict.
Supporting in Ukraine
The Irish Red Cross works alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) to ensure people affected by the conflict can access the care, support, and services they need to recover and rebuild their lives. By strengthening mental health support, helping communities recover, and strengthening local Red Cross capacity, we aim to ensure assistance reaches people in crisis today while building lasting resilience for the future.
The Irish Red Cross works alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) to ensure people affected by the conflict can access the care, support, and services they need to recover and rebuild their lives. By strengthening mental health support, helping communities recover, and strengthening local Red Cross capacity, we aim to ensure assistance reaches people in crisis today while building lasting resilience for the future.
Building Resilient Communities
The Irish Red Cross helps communities affected by conflict recover and rebuild by strengthening social support networks for internally displaced people (IDPs) and returnees.
We support five community centres across Ukraine to provide integrated services, including psychosocial support, public health initiatives, and livelihoods assistance, while promoting social cohesion and community resilience. We also back community-led initiatives through training and small grants for local groups, helping people regain self-reliance and ensuring recovery efforts are sustainable.
Strengthening Local Capacity
Through the BraVo (Branch + Volunteer) Programme, the Irish Red Cross is helping the Ukrainian Red Cross Society strengthen local branches in two regions, enabling them to become self-sustaining, community-based institutions.
These branches already provide vital services, including humanitarian aid, clothing banks and information support, and are being strengthened to foster a sustainable, community-led approach to humanitarian action.
Helping People Heal and Cope
The Irish Red Cross works with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society to support the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Our programmes provide community-based and focused psychosocial support through group activities, counselling, psychoeducation, and Psychological First Aid training, helping individuals and families build safety, connection, and resilience.
The approach prioritises strong referral systems and partnerships with specialist providers to ensure people with complex needs can access appropriate care, while also supporting the wellbeing of Red Cross staff and volunteers. These mental health initiatives are generously supported by Irish Aid.
Delivering Vital Support since 2022
Since February 2022, the Irish Red Cross has been supporting people affected by the conflict in Ukraine through practical, lifesaving assistance.
Winter Support: We helped the Ukrainian Red Cross provide cash, essential household items, insulation materials, and home repairs. We also delivered four mobile heating points, equipped with generators and fuel, to keep communities safe and warm during winter.
Cash Assistance: We provided multi-purpose financial aid to people in Ukraine and those displaced abroad, including medical vouchers to help vulnerable Ukrainians in Poland access healthcare.
Health: In partnership with University College Dublin, we contributed €470,000 to the Ukraine Trauma Project, supplying emergency medical kits and advanced lifesaving training for medical personnel, focusing on pre-hospital care for severe combat-related injuries.
Supporting Ukrainians in Ireland
In Ireland, a range of mental health and psychosocial supports have been provided to Ukrainians and front-line workers affected by conflict and displacement, including psychological first-aid training to support others while strengthening personal wellbeing, as well as specialist trauma therapies and grief management training to help individuals process traumatic experiences and cope with loss.
Alongside these supports, Irish hosts have welcomed people fleeing conflict through the pledged accommodation programme. Beyond providing a place to stay, hosts have offered vital social and emotional support, helping Ukrainian guests settle into life in Ireland and connect with essential services and opportunities.
Lyubov's Story
In March 2022, Lyubov and her son sought refuge in a shelter in Chernivtsi, over a thousand kilometres from their hometown in Popasna. Taking part in weekly support sessions at URCS Mental Health centreshave become their lifeline.
Lyubov says her son feels safe and happy at these support centres, he even sets an alarm so he doesn’t miss sessions. She says they give them strength and a sense of normality after losing their home and being displaced.
“Life as an internally displaced person is not easy. My family lost everything – our house was destroyed in April 2022. We have nowhere to return to. But these activities help us regain strength and mental resilience. It’s more than just support - it’s our only escape.”
