Dear John,

Millions of people around the world have been touched by the plight of people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine. You are one of those people who has helped refugees from Ukraine by making a donation—we cannot thank you enough.

Today we wanted to introduce you to just some of the people who are helping on the ground, in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Some know what it is like to be a refugee themselves. Some are volunteers; some have dedicated their entire career to humanitarian work. They come from all walks of life but share a common goal—to help people in need.

Dr Anthony Ezerioha lives and works in Germany. He used to study medicine in Ukraine so when he heard about the war in Ukraine, he came to Poland to offer his medical assistance. He is currently working in Rzeszow Full Market Hall, which can host up to 500 refugees from Ukraine.

Solomia Makoviiehuk is 18 years old and is a refugee from Ivano Frankovsk in Ukraine. She is volunteering at Rzeszow train station to show fellow refugees from Ukraine where they can find help.

Rymma and her husband Ruslan have turned their storage facility in western Ukraine into a hostel for people fleeing other parts of the country. They have received supplies from UNHCR and other organisations to equip the shelter, which can now sleep up to 80 people a night.

Tamara (right) is hosting two refugee families from Ukraine in her home in the Moldovan capital, together with her husband. Kisut (left) is a member of UNHCR’s Emergency Response Team who is in Moldova, helping to coordinate the distribution of cash, relief items and other forms of assistance for refugees from Ukraine.