Re: Life | It's Raining in Ukraine.
A Letter of Emergency
To everyone that’s been kind enough to read this newsletter,
Last Friday, while talking to a close friend at school, I learned about the conflict in Ukraine. After doing my research, I wanted to write this newsletter as a matter of urgency. What you’ll read from here on aren’t my opinions. They’re simply a call for your attention and help.
As of today, Feb 26, 2022, Russia has now invaded well into Ukranian border. Rows of apartments have been obliterated with people in them. Deaths number in the hundreds and the casualties are in the thousands 1 2. Women and children are being evacuated in the hundreds of thousands 3. Those who are left - everyday citizens - are being given guns to defend their homes in case soldiers invade them. In the makeshift ICUs in bomb shelters, newborns are being pumped oxygen by hand 4.
Maybe this is a political issue, but it’s just as much an issue of our nature. This suffering didn’t appear from a void. Some humans chose to do this to other humans - to hurt and to kill indiscriminately.
And as long as it stays this way, it doesn’t matter what we do; what we fear most will continue to be ourselves - the hands of another human.
If you were invited to this newsletter, chances are you have an illustrious background. Perhaps you’re even in a position of signficant influence. In any case, the last thing any of us should be doing - especially given our circumstances - is to watch vacantly.
We can’t watch. Out in the streets, people are shelling and shooting and blasting each other away. Others run for their lives - some abandoned and others freezing. Countries can be dealt with later, but not at the expense of people whose lives are in danger right now. Ukraine needs supplies. Innocent Ukranians need to get out of the country. We can’t look away.
From the time I’ve spent thinking about this conflict, here are some of the most impactful ways you could get involved:
Help Keep Ukranians Safe
> Consider donating to UNICEF or the UNHCR’s Ukraine fund to support these efforts. Over 90% of their donations are funneled directly into the evacuation process, and just over $50 would place you ahead of most people who donate.
> Consider donating to Doctor Without Borders, who provide critical medical care to people at a time when people are getting hurt continually.
> For Canadian readers: Canada is one of the only countries in which citizens (not just the government) can sponsor refugees. If you have the means to do this, you could quite literally save a life.
> Contact the people around you who you know are directly affected. Don’t wait. It’s a matter of showing your loved ones that you care enough to reach out now.> If you think all the methods above are beyond what you can do, stay informed. At this point, outlets like Reuters and Al Jazeera seem to be unbiased sources that pull their data from officials. Misinformation can spread to the point of lethality, so don’t contribute to it.
Regardless of how you help, just help. This community is full of intellectually incredible people. If anyone could make a real difference, I wouldn’t hesitate to bet on us leading the way. In fact, I am betting on us. For those of you who donate, let me know and I’ll match any contributions up to $1,000 CAD.
What we’re seeing right now is one of the most pivotal moments of this decade, and perhaps even this century. The last thing we can do is wait.
Your turn,
-Aaryan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/russia-ukraine-invasion-casualties-death-toll (Older article, subject to changes)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSKBN0KW13P20150123
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/26/european-countries-open-borders-for-ukrainian-refugees
https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/icu-babies-putin-bomb-ukraine-hospital-b2023337.html