Dear John,

Though war has yet to be declared between Russia and Ukraine, Urgent Action Fund is receiving more requests from women, trans, and nonbinary activists on the ground in Ukraine each day.
 
The current situation is an extension of conflict in the region which has limited the ability of feminist activists in Ukraine to have their voices heard for the past 8 years.
 
Now with the threat of a Russian invasion into Ukraine, there is a strong need to support the feminist movement with advocacy grants and to build their capacity to prepare for possible war.
 
In the case of invasion, the risk of physical danger, including arrests, torture, rape, blackmail, and injury will increase for feminist activists. Therefore, the activists and their families will have various needs, including, but not limited to:

• The need for support with emergency evacuations and relocations;
• Legal, financial, and medical support;
• Security and disaster survival training;
• A “financial pillow” in cases when the evacuations are the only option to survive;
• Increasing the shelter capacities for children, women, and all other civilians; and
• Strengthening of digital security.

UAF is currently providing flexible funding and security support to those in Ukraine who we will not be able to reach if and when war does break out. UAF also seeks to help activists prepare in the event that they’ll need to evacuate. And we commit to supporting activists in the aftermath of all that is unfolding. 

Now is the time to stand in solidarity.