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News Community/Education Humanitarian/Medical Projects

OVER 1,000 FAMILIES IN UKRAINE ARE SUSTAINED WITH GLUTEN-FREE FOOD FOR A YEAR

The World Health Organization estimates that 1-2% of people worldwide have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder resulting from a permanent intolerance to gluten. In Ukraine, according to experts, at least 300 thousand suffer from this disease.

“People can have gluten intolerance and may not know about it for years, and at the same time be treated for diseases caused by gluten intolerance.” explains Dr. Olga Naumova, an allergist, President of the Ukrainian Celiac Society.

Fifteen years ago, Dr. Naumova united families with children suffering from celiac disease and founded the Ukrainian Celiac Society. For the past decade, Dr. Naumova and volunteers have been conducting educational campaigns, explaining the dire consequences of this disease such as diabetes and infertility.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, there was a new, developing market focused on manufacturing of gluten-free foods. Eleven family-run Ukrainian companies produced licensed gluten-free products – four of them are currently under Russia’s temporary occupation and three ceased to exist. Families in need of gluten-free foods, have been facing both a sharp reduction in availability and significant price increase.

A grant from the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) – a joint effort of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, to the Ukrainian Celiac Society is providing around 1,000 specialized food boxes a month for families with children suffering from gluten intolerance over a period of 12 months.

Thanks to the support of our Donors, with this grant we are helping families with children suffering from Celiac disease and support local manufacturers of licensed gluten-free foods.

“For parents of children with celiac disease, it is important not only to receive a specialty food box but also be able to source locally these foods in the future. The grant from UHA helps these families sustain their children’s health and the health of small niche businesses,” emphasized Dr. Olga Naumenko.

Thank you to all who continuously enable a variety of humanitarian aid to Ukraine through the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – do donate, please follow the link www.cufoundation.ca.

Background

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) was launched in January of 2022 by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to coordinate the provision of humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to civilians impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including relief for displaced persons in Europe and Canada.

To date, we have delivered over $70 million in food, medicine, emergency shelter, mental health support, surgical aid, firefighter gear, individual first aid kits, ambulances, generators, and many more types of aid, including in-kind donations.

Please click here to read further about our humanitarian relief efforts since the full-scale invasion on February 24th, 2022.

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established in 1995 to coordinate, develop, organize and implement aid projects created by Canadians and directed to Ukraine.

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News

UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN APPEAL and UKRAINIAN SOCIETY OF THE DEAF SUPPORT VITAL INTERPRETING SERVICES

The war in Ukraine significantly increased the vulnerability of its deaf and hard-of-hearing population – many could not hear air raid sirens and get to bomb shelters in time. Before the onset of hostilities there were more than 2 million people in Ukraine with impaired hearing, and 31,000 were reported to be living with complete hearing loss, claims the World Health Organization.

The Ukrainian Society of the Deaf, a non-governmental organization assisting people with impaired hearing in Ukraine since 1933, worked tirelessly to ensure people were receiving most up-to-date information in Ukrainian sign language – latest news and developments, dangers, and ways to evacuate, seek shelter and medical assistance.

In the first year of the full-scale invasion, the Society organized evacuation of more than 6,299 deaf Ukrainians from the most dangerous regions. The national associations of the deaf in Moldova, Poland, and Hungary were among the first who admitted and helped settle these evacuees – assistance made possible by the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (a joint effort of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), launched in January of 2022).

To ensure quality access to information and services for the deaf population in Ukraine as well as for those who found temporary refuge in neighboring countries continues, the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal further supports the work of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf by funding the following programming for 2023-24:

  • around-the-clock access to the latest news and developments on the war, interpreting messages of the President of Ukraine, Army officials and spokespersons
  • online communication services, professional opportunities for the deaf, and barrier-free access to medical advice and appointments
  • mental health support for various age groups through video and support materials
  • educational tools for displaced children attending schools in neighboring countries

Last summer, Iryna Chepchyna, president of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf, attended the World Congress of the Deaf in Korea and addressed the challenges faced by people with a hearing impairment in Ukraine during the war.

She received an International Solidarity Award from the President of the World Federation of the Deaf, Joseph Murray, for her leadership of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf.

Over the last two years, thanks to the steadfast Donor support of the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, evacuation to safety, interpreting services, efficient delivery of critical information and programming was and continues to be provided to the deaf and hard-of-hearing population – Thank you!

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News

Victor Hetmanczuk, C.M. appointed as Member of the Order of Canada.

Chair of the Board, CUF

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of our own Mr. Victor Hetmanczuk as a Member of the Order of Canada. This is a tremendous achievement and one of Canada’s highest civilian honours. The Order of Canada exists to acknowledge outstanding accomplishments, the recipient’s dedication to their community, as well as their service to the country.

Over the last 50 years Mr. Hetmanczuk has made a lasting impact on the Ukrainian-Canadian community and wider Canadian society, including professional achievements at Ukrainian Canadian Social Services, Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank, and Petro Canada; and community service achievements at the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, the Ukrainian Care Centre, the Ukrainian World Foundation, the SO-USE Credit Union and many roles within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

A legacy within each organization where he has served is positive change ensuring both cultural and financial sustainability for generations to come. Victor has never sought publicity or profile while serving the community. His understated approach compliments his ability to lead a team to deliver the task at hand quietly and diligently.

For his contributions to his country and community, Victor has been awarded: the Volodymyr the Great Medal, from the Ukrainian World Congress, 2023, the Taras Shevchenko Medal from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation Distinguished Service Award, 2020, the Centenary Award of St. Andrew from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2018, the Recognition of Benevolence Medal from the Ministry of Defence Ukraine, 2017 and the twenty-fifth Anniversary Medal of Ukraine’s Independence from the President of Ukraine, 2016.

Congratulations Victor! Вітаємо Вікторе!

Governor General’s office made the announcement this morning, December 28th, you can read it here.

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News

2023 in review – thank you for your support!

As we look back on 2023, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who showed their unwavering support of our vital work! Thank you for your time organizing fundraisers, thank you for the generous pledges and donations in kind, thank you for keeping Ukraine and Ukrainians at the forefront, as the world kept turning – your donations made all the difference in over a million lives – thank you for being the Light!

This year, our primary focus remained on humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine though the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – our joint effort with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), launched in January of 2022. To date, we have dispersed $50 million in food, medicine, medical equipment, surgical aid, mental health support, ambulances, generators and gear for the first responders, as well as launched new long-term projects such as demining and rehabilitation of war victims.

We expanded that effort with the humanitarian assistance to Displaced Ukrainians who found their temporary refuge here in Canada through the multitude of projects across the country. $1.2 million distributed to help with food security, shelter, newcomer orientation, language (ESL, FSL) and psycho-social support.

Additionally, for a second year in the row, we sponsored two weeks of summer camp for almost 1,500 displaced children from Ukraine at 38 locations across Canada and provided 61 CUF bursaries to displaced post-secondary Ukrainian students, in partnership with the Shevchenko Foundation.

Summer Camp at UNF Toronto

CUF-UCC UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN APPEAL

Aid to Ukraine since February 2022: $50 million

  • Food and Hygiene kits
  • Ambulances, Medical Equipment, Medicines
  • Surgical Missions – CUSAP
  • Evacuation of Cancer Patients to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto
  • Mental Health Support
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthesis
  • Shelter for Women and Children
  • First Responders Gear, Rescue Boats, Demining Robots
  • Generators, Stoves, Beds and Bedding

Winterization Projects: December 2023 – April 2024

  • Medicine to 38 hospitals along the front line
  • 30,000 Food Boxes for 75,000 people
  • 2,400 Beds, Mattresses, Bedding to internally displaced persons
  • 3,000 Wood-Burning Stoves to families living in remote areas
  • 6,000 Thermal Blankets
  • & Christmas gifts to over 1,000 children

Long-term projects:

  • Surgical Missions – CUSAP
  • Rehabilitation of war victims
  • Mental Health Support Programs for Adults & Children
  • First Aid Training for civilians and paramedics
  • Demining: Education and Technical Aspects

Our work would not be possible without our many trusted partners and the unwavering support of our donors – thank you!

Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine is devastating – amidst the loss and pain, we stand with our brothers and sisters. Please help us continue our vital work and donate at www.cufoundation.ca

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News Community/Education Holodomor National Awareness Tour

Study of Holodomor genocide in Ukraine to be included in Grade 10 Canadian history course

Today, November 28th, Minister Lecce announced that the Ontario government mandated the study of the 1932-33 Holodomor – a man-made famine orchestrated by the Soviet regime in Ukraine 90 years ago, to be included in Grade 10 Canadian history course beginning in September of 2025.

This is a momentous news for the Ukrainian Canadian community that lobbied tirelessly to make this brutal campaign of Joseph Stalin against Ukrainian identity and existence that claimed millions of lives, known. Canada was the first country in the world that in 2008 recognized Holodomor as genocide of Ukrainians, and now, including Holodomor in the curriculum will ensure our youth learns about adverse consequences of extreme political ideologies like those of totalitarian communist regime, in the classroom.

“The rise of extremism, including Communism and Marxism, are direct threats to our democracy, social cohesion and values as Canadians,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “I am determined to strengthen education on our shared values, including by mandating learning about the horrors of state-sponsored persecution of Ukrainians in the Holodomor in Grade 10 Canadian History. This learning will help ensure students are never bystanders in the face of such horrors, understand the danger of totalitarianism and help safeguard fundamental Canadian values of freedom and democracy over communist extremism.”

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation is also deeply grateful to the Government of Ontario for reinforcing this learning by investing $400,000 to support the Holodomor National Awareness Tour and the Holodomor Mobile Classroom (HMC) that will enable the HMC to travel to schools across the province and engage students in grades 6 to 12 through the experiential learning directly linked to the Ontario curriculum.

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation developed Holodomor National Awareness Tour in 2014 to foster education and bring awareness of the Holodomor to Canadians. To date, the Holodomor Mobile Classroom engaged over 70,000 people across Canada and had visited more than 500 schools.

The Holodomor Mobile Classroom (HMC). Image by: Tetiana Dodonova

The Holodomor Mobile Classroom is a unique learning environment that uses cutting-edge technology to fully immerse and assist students in learning about the Holodomor in a digital classroom on wheels.

The fusion of technologies and interactive content that was developed for this program, defines an entirely new way to conduct lessons allowing both the facilitator and students to actively engage with each other.

This year, the Holodomor Mobile Classroom traveled Eastern and Western Canada, and just last week, was in Ottawa to mark the 90th anniversary of Holodomor on the Parliament Hill. 

Image by: Tetiana Dodonova

We are very grateful to the Donors who made the travels of the Holodomor Mobile Classroom possible over the years and look forward to many more thanks to the support of the Government of Ontario!

Today’s announcement ensures that students will learn about the unknown chapter in Ukrainian history, and that they will continue to embrace and value democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law that Canada holds in the highest regard.

Background

To learn more about the Holodomor National Awareness Tour (HNAT): https://holodomortour.ca/

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News

UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN APPEAL SUPPORTS UKRAINE’S DEMINING EFFORTS

In addition to the perils of all too frequent Russian air strikes, Ukrainians in many parts of the country also have to beware of land mines and other unexploded ordnance. According to the UN, since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, over 300 civilian deaths and 700 injuries in Ukraine are attributed to accidents relating to such explosive devices. Also, extensive mining by the Russian armed forces in the fertile farmland of central Ukraine is having a substantially adverse impact on agricultural productivity, which impact is felt not only in Ukraine, but throughout the world, in the form of shortages and increased prices for food.

Ukraine is now the most heavily mined country in the world. Demining has been identified as one of the Government of Ukraine’s critical objectives in the short and long term. Estimates for clearing Ukraine of Russian mines and unexploded ordnance run into the of billions of dollars and will take decades to complete.

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) are doing their part through their joint Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal fund, to help in this effort, with current participation in three humanitarian demining projects. 

In a recently signed agreement, CUF will fund the Ukrainian Demining Association (UDA) in the execution of humanitarian demining in three distinct parts: 

(1) Non-technical survey — the first important step toward land clearance — where UDA and its affiliate will survey agricultural land in the Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts and report findings to the National Mine Action Authority in Ukraine; 

(2) Explosive Ordnance and Risk Education (EORE) will be undertaken in 8 regions of Ukraine to educate the public, and children in particular, on how to identify and avoid mine hazards, which have been strewn throughout large areas of Ukraine. This effort is expected to reach over 18,000 participants. Also, UDA will conduct a digital EORE campaign to reach a broader audience online;

(3) Mine Victim Assistance (MVA) will identify and assist needy victims of mine, missile or explosive ordnance injury through cash payments. Staff experienced in humanitarian assistance will identify and counsel mine victims and provide cash assistance for medical-related expenses.

In August, 2023, through the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, CUF and UCC purchased and arranged for the delivery of three mobile X-ray backscatter imagers to the National Police of Ukraine (NPU). The NPU has been very active in a variety of explosive ordnance disposal and humanitarian demining activities particularly in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. One of its principal responsibilities is to clear public, commercial and residential buildings, abandoned vehicles and infrastructure installations from explosives planted by retreating Russian armed forces. The hand-held mobile backscatter units allow for imaging from one side of an object, such as a door or wall. This allows NPU technicians to scan for explosive devices more quickly, accurately and, importantly, more safely.

In 2022, three demining robots were purchased and delivered to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. These units are used for remote detection and clearance of mines and have been deployed in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions of Ukraine.

Categories
News Humanitarian/Medical

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal supports the rehabilitation of war victims.

Many injured Ukrainians, both military personnel and civilians, are taken from the frontlines to the Unbroken Centre in Lviv every week to receive specialized medical care, including reconstructive surgery, physical rehabilitation, and prosthetics care. Since February 2022, Russia has maintained their daily violent attacks on Ukraine, leaving thousands with complex injuries, many of which healthcare facilities in the country are under-equipped to treat.

The National Rehabilitation Centre Unbroken, which is already providing orthopedics services, burn care, prosthetics manufacturing and fitting, reconstructive operations, physical therapy, and mental health treatment to children and adults, hopes to increase their scope. With millions of internally displaced Ukrainians—over 11,000 of these requiring prosthetics—there is a lack of adequate health care in the country able to keep up with the demand.

With a generous grant from the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ (UCC) joint project, the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA), the Unbroken Centre will be able to purchase specialized equipment, such as treadmills, treatment tables, and complex rehabilitation systems for their patients. Additionally, the grant will go towards the training of healthcare workers to further their skills in prosthetic care, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation. The training will allow 10 medical professionals to travel to the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto for 2 weeks, while hundreds of others will be given the opportunity to join online sessions related to their respective fields. 

The grant will allow the Unbroken Centre to treat more than 120 people with inpatient rehabilitation, as well as 660 people receiving outpatient care monthly—totaling over 9,000 annually. After experiencing horrific trauma, both physical and mental, thousands of injured Ukrainians will be able to recover near their families within their home country.

Images provided by “Unbroken”

The aid that the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been delivering to Ukraine over the past 19 months is vast and diverse, and is made possible by our steadfast supporters – thank you!

Two fundraisers were held in recent months to support the project “Unbroken”.

On July 15, an event called Art-Edude was held at the Montreal Art Centre to benefit the “Unbroken” Rehabilitation Centre through the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. As a result, $6,200 were donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation for this project.

Currently, the City of Winnipeg is holding a fundraiser for Unbroken Centre to mark the 50th anniversary of its sistership with Lviv, Ukraine. To learn more and support, please click here.

We are truly grateful that there are so many caring and generous people across Canada who continually organize events in support of our ongoing projects.

Presentation of funds raised at the Art-Etude event, organized by Eramelinda Boquer, to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation for the “Unbroken” project.

Background

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) was launched in January of 2022 by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) to coordinate the provision of humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to civilians impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including relief for displaced persons in Europe and Canada.

To date, we have delivered over $47 million in food, medicine, emergency shelter, mental health support, surgical aid, firefighter gear, individual first aid kits, ambulances, generators, and many more types of aid.

Please click here to read further about our humanitarian relief efforts since the full-scale invasion on February 24th, 2022.

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established in 1995 to coordinate, develop, organize and implement aid projects created by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. Read more about CUF’s history on Wikipedia and donate.

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News Humanitarian/Medical

CUSAP 4th Life-Altering Mission in Poland – 27 patients, 32 operations, 105 procedures.

“Those suffering have absolutely no one to turn to. Ukraine is at absolute capacity,” says Dr. Antonyshyn, founder and head surgeon of the Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program (CUSAP).

Unfortunately, Ukraine’s overburdened healthcare system cannot alone handle the immense patient needs caused by the war. They need the help of international partners like CUSAP. The complex injuries referred to our group of highly-skilled medical volunteers require a multidisciplinary surgical team and the latest technology in facial implants.

During this 4th mission held in Czeladž, Poland, 52 Ukrainian patients were consulted, and 27 were operated on. During one week, the team performed 32 surgeries, which included 105 procedures: craniofacial, orthopedic and hand / peripheral nerve.

The surgical missions are specifically designed to address craniofacial trauma, soft tissue trauma, upper and lower extremity reconstruction and burn reconstruction. 

The heart and soul of these missions is the multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anesthetists, intensivists, nurses, administrative staff, and other specialties, including psychologists and an occupational therapist. This is a well-rounded team of incredibly skilled professionals who continuously volunteer their time and expertise to treat those severely injured in Russia’s unprovoked, genocidal war on Ukraine.

“It is such a privilege to be able to help these people. They deserve all the help we can give”, said Dr. Chris Graham, an orthopedic surgeon.

Photos credit: Andrey Syrko

The hardest part of every mission is the goodbyes when we see patients being repatriated back to Ukraine. Over the course of their treatments, they become friends and family, leaving an impact on the hearts of each member of the team. The heartfelt gratitude of these patients leaves a mark that lasts a lifetime. “We had love. Now, thanks to you, we also have health”, said the wife of one of the patients.

Photos credit: Andrey Syrko

Over the 4 surgical missions held in Poland – September 2022, November 2022, April 2023 and September of 2023:

  • 95 patients operated on
  • 110 surgeries performed
  • 331 procedures
  • 14 microvascular free tissue transfers

We are very grateful to all who continuously support CUSAP’s life-altering surgical missions. We would like to extend a special thanks to the two anonymous donors of $200,000 CAD and $75,000 USD, who supported this latest mission – thank you sincerely on behalf of the 27 patients who now have a chance at a better quality of life!

Our next surgical mission is planned for the early part of 2024. Please consider supporting this vital project of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation by donating at www.cufoundation.ca.

Background

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established in 1995 to coordinate, develop, organize and implement aid projects created by Canadians and directed to Ukraine.

Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program (CUSAP) is a humanitarian surgical aid initiative established by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation together with the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in 2013 that provides life-changing care to patients affected by the war in Ukraine. The surgeries have significantly improved the quality of life of Ukrainians who undergo the operations.

Categories
News Humanitarian/Medical

CUSAP missions restore hope for a better-quality life.

It has been nineteen months since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started in an almost 10-year-long war. Thousands of lives have been lost, and thousands are forever changed by injuries sustained either on the battlefield or while simply waiting for a bus or turning in for the night. During the twenty-first century, in the heart of Europe, this is the reality of millions in Ukraine.

Surviving a mine blast or a missile attack is a blessing, but it is also the beginning of a long and painful journey to recovery. Veterans and civilians with craniofacial, head and neck, and orthopedic injuries who cannot be further helped in Ukraine are referred to the Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program (CUSAP), where a team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, nurses, and support staff deliver complex, life-altering reconstructive surgeries and pre- and post-surgical care to give patients a chance to return to a normal life.

For a glimpse into the life-altering work of the CUSAP team, we would like to share the story of Pavlo, one of 286 patients helped since the program was established in 2014 by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre under the leadership of CUSAP’s head surgeon, Dr. Oleh Antonyshyn.

About a third of patients return for multiple missions as their injuries are so severe that their recovery is a multi-step process with many procedures performed by the multidisciplinary team of surgeons. Pavlo is one of such repeat patients. He sustained a mine blast injury on August 31, 2022. He was missing the midsection of his face with full exposure of his nasal cavity. Pavlo was referred to CUSAP and became a patient in November 2022, CUSAP’s second mission in Poland.

To date, he has undergone reconstruction of his nasal framework, followed by nasal reconstruction and lip reconstruction and revision. Between missions, he was operated on by Dr. Oleksandr Lompas, a Ukrainian surgeon, who joined several missions and operated alongside Dr. Antonyshyn and the Canadian team. Dr. Lompas managed Pavlo’s case in Ukraine and performed smaller operations to maintain his progress and prepare him for the more significant procedures on the missions.

Please meet Pavlo and see his progress with CUSAP…

Photos by Andrey Syrko

On Tuesday, September 26, Pavlo had another long set of surgical procedures done by the CUSAP multidisciplinary team to further reconstruct his midface with a forearm flap and bone and skin grafts.

As Pavlo nears the end of his recovery, there are many more who are only at the beginning. As the war continues and Ukraine fights to liberate its land and people from under Russian occupation, more veterans and civilians will need reconstructive surgical aid.

We are grateful for the generosity and steadfast support of our donors for enabling the CUSAP team to restore hope and change lives of hundreds of Ukrainians, like Pavlo, who have suffered a serious physical toll as a direct result of war.

To continue supporting the Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program, please visit www.cufoundation.ca. Thank you, Дякуємо, Merci.

Background

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established in 1995 to coordinate, develop, organize and implement aid projects created by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. Read more about CUF’s history on Wikipedia.

Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program (CUSAP) was established by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation together with the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to help Ukrainians who were severely injured during the Revolution of Dignity in 2013 and the subsequent war in Eastern Ukraine in 2014. Since then, Canadian plastic surgeons have operated on 286 patients – civilians and veterans. The surgeries have significantly improved the quality of life of Ukrainians who undergo the operations.

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News Humanitarian/Medical

Access to safe water renewed for 25,000 people in 36 villages of Kherson oblast.

Russia has relentlessly targeted civilian infrastructure in the Kherson Oblast, leaving many villages without a safe water supply. Access to clean water is not just a necessity but also a fundamental human right. Before the area was liberated from Russian occupation, water pumps and towers were damaged, destroyed and stolen by the occupying forces.

The Kakhovka Dam, a crucial part of Kherson’s civilian water infrastructure, was repeatedly targeted by Russian artillery and completely destroyed on June 6th, resulting in thousands of people losing access to fresh, drinkable water.

An additional challenge faced by these impacted communities is the lack of a regular water supply for their crops and household vegetable gardens, which causes poor yields. While already having to withstand daily Russian rocket attacks, the destruction of water supplies—the lifeline of these rural communities—adds yet another threat to their survival. 

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) through their joint effort – the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA), have ensured that 36 villages in Kherson’s Beryslav Region along the Dnipro River regain access to safe water by contributing USD $50,000 to the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), enabling the purchase and delivery of 40 submersible water pumps and 60 1,000-litre water tanks.

UCCA, a well-established non-profit organization and founding member of the Ukrainian World Congress, is working closely with Ukraine Protection and Development Fund (UPDF) to ensure the efficient and effective allocation of these water pumps and tanks. The villages receiving this assistance are among the most underserved for humanitarian aid in the area, primarily due to their dangerous proximity to Russian forces, with some located just a few hundred meters from the frontline. 

The funds for this project were collected at a fundraiser breakfast featuring a keynote address by the Honorable Bob Rae on June 27th. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over 25,000 local and internally displaced people now have access to clean water. This relief not only provides immediate assistance to these villages but also ensures their long-term sustainability. Together, we are making a significant impact on the lives of thousands of Ukrainians affected by the war. However, our work is far from over. We will continue to advocate for the rights of these communities and strive for a future where access to clean water is guaranteed for all. 

The aid that the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been delivering to Ukraine over the past 19 months is vast and diverse, and is made possible by our steadfast supporters – thank you!

Background

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) was launched in January of 2022 by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) to coordinate the provision of humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to civilians impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including relief for displaced persons in Europe and Canada. To date, we have delivered over $47 million in food, medicine, emergency shelter, mental health support, surgical aid, firefighter gear, individual first aid kits, ambulances, generators, and many more types of aid.

Please click here to read further about our humanitarian relief efforts since the full-scale invasion on February 24th, 2022.

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established in 1995 to coordinate, develop, organize and implement aid projects created by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. Read more about CUF’s history on Wikipedia and donate.