Why Kharkiv?

The people of Kharkiv are being assaulted day after day by Russian missiles and artillery. With over 700 apartment buildings destroyed, the people of Kharkiv must resort to hiding wherever they can find shelter. As the Russian army continues to target residential areas, people are scared to leave their shelters and do not have the food, medicine, or supplies they need. Mothers are unable to leave and purchase diapers and formula for their children. Others who are sick lack access to over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol to help with fevers and sickness. The neighborhood of Saltvika, the most populated district of the city and home to the YouToo Family Center is bearing a large proportion of the damage.

Kharkiv Facts

  • Ukraine’s second largest city with 1.5 Million residents

  • Up to half a million people displaced from Luhansk and Donetsk have settled in Kharkiv.

  • Only 26 miles to Russian border

  • Since the war started, there have been 93 documented attacks on the city of Kharkiv.

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War is inherantly chaotic and the circumstances on the ground can change in a moment’s notice. As Russian military forces once focused on attacking the area around Kyiv retreat and regroup, it is possible that they will be redeployed in Eastern Ukraine to bolster the presence of forces in Donetsk and Luhansk. This presents a huge risk for the city of Kharkiv as it shares a border with both of the Russian controlled regions and could be subject to increased bombing and shelling of civilian targets. In the coming weeks and months, it is vital that we continue to play our part in ensuring that some of the neediest people still in Kharkiv have access to food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities.