Protest in Luxembourg City, 24 February 2022; Credit: Ali Sahib

In light of the Russian attack on Ukraine, many people in Luxembourg (and around the world) have been asking how they can support those affected. As such, Chronicle.lu has gathered some of the many ways Luxembourg residents can help Ukrainians during these challenging times.

Attend protests

One of the easiest ways to show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people is to attend organised demonstrations. A first protest took place in Luxembourg City’s centre on Thursday afternoon. Around 250 people of different ages and nationalities (including Ukrainian, Luxembourgish and even some Russian nationals) gathered in Place de Clairefontaine to protest the invasion and demand action from European and world leaders. The organisers, LUkraine asbl, a non-profit organisation representing Ukrainians living in Luxembourg, are holding a similar protest in the capital this Saturday 26 February 2022 (departure from Place de Clairefontaine at 10:00).

Speaking with Chronicle.lu, Nicolas Zharov, President of LUkraine asbl, emphasised the need to “assemble everyone for Saturday” and to “urge Luxembourg to be more active” in its opposition of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. He argued that the current response was “not enough for Ukraine or for security in Europe”.

Mr Zharov added that there was “lots of work” to be done, but that Ukraine must “rely on the [...] army and requesting military help from other countries”. He warned that “Ukraine is on its way to being captured if nothing is being done by the civilised world” and that Russian military aggression “will not stop at Ukraine”.

Join Facebook groups

LUkraine asbl and others have been providing several updates as well as calls and offers for assistance in the Facebook group “Ukrainians in Luxembourg” over the past few days. The non-profit has also set up a separate group dedicated to putting Ukrainian families in touch with potential host families in Luxembourg: “Host families for refugees of war in Ukraine/Luxembourg”. A wealth of information is being published here frequently by the non-profit and other group members.

Donate money

Another way to support Ukrainians is to donate money to reputable charities and verified fundraising accounts. One example is the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), which recently opened a special account to raise funds for the armed forces of Ukraine; the account is multi-currency with donations in euros to be transferred to following account:

SWIFT Code NBU: NBUA UA UX
Bank: Deutsche Bundesbank, Frankfurt
SWIFT Code: MARKDEFF
Account: 5040040066
IBAN DE05504000005040040066
Address: Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 14, 60431 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
Funds will be wired into account number: UA843000010000000047330992708

Another reputable charitable organisation outside of Luxembourg is the Return Alive Foundation, which has been supporting Ukrainian soldiers since the unrest of spring 2014. Those interested in supporting this charity can make a donation via bank transfer to:

SWIFT: CO "INTERNATIONAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION "COME BACK ALIVE"
IBAN (euro) UA093052990000026004025029786
Bank: JSC CB "PrivatBank", 1D Hrushevskoho Str., Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine
Bank SWIFT Code: PBANUA2X
Address: 32 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Str., Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
Reference: Charitable donation to Ukrainian military

In the Grand Duchy, LUkraine asbl itself has set up a fundraiser, entitled "Help Ukraine - Save lives", for the purchase of haemostatic gauzes and other first aid equipment. Those interested in donating can do so via Facebook, PayPal (donate@ukrainians.lu) or bank transfer: LUkraine asbl LU48 0019 4355 7152 8000 (BCEELULL). The organisers added that people in Luxembourg may also buy medical equipment and warm clothing themselves and bring it to one of their partner shops in Esch-sur-Alzette: Orthopédie Felten (107 Rue de l’Alzette, L-4011 Esch-sur-Alzette). Required items include sleeping bags, safety helmets, first aid kits, infrared cameras and warm winter clothes for people aged five and up.

In addition, various charities in Luxembourg have launched donation appeals:

  • Caritas Luxembourg recently released aid of €50,000 and will continue to support Ukrainians, in partnership with its partners on the ground, namely regarding finding a safe place for victims of the crisis in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries. To support this cause, donate to the CCPL bank account IBAN LU34 1111 0000 2020 0000 (reference: "Crise en Ukraine") or online at: https://www.caritas.lu/en/make-donation;
  • The Luxembourg Red Cross has launched an emergency response to support the Ukrainian population, while the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement have called for the preservation of pumping stations and health centres, some of which have already been destroyed, for the civilian population living in affected areas. People wishing to support the Luxembourg Red Cross in these efforts can make a donation via bank transfer: IBAN LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 (reference: “Urgence Ukraine”) or online at: https://donate.croix-rouge.lu/b/my-donation?cid=43&_cv=1;
  • SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde confirmed that it was mobilising and setting up an emergency aid programme to help children and families in Ukraine, by setting up shelters, distributing food, medicine and hygiene kits and offering psychological support to children having experienced trauma. To support this cause, make a donation to the CCPL bank account IBAN LU65 1111 0050 0053 0000 of SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde (reference: “Urgence Ukraine 2022”). Further information is available at www.sosve.lu.

This is just a selection of the many ways people in Luxembourg can get involved and support Ukrainians in need.