GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — Meghan Markle and Prince Harry continue to show their support for Ukraine by donating to several charities providing aid to Ukrainians. These charities include the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), The HALO Trust, Are We Europe and Project Healthy Minds. The Sussex dukedom couple is “also continuing to work with [their]partners at World Central Kitchen and the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist with the global and local humanitarian response to the crisis.”
Stand With Ukrainians
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, through the Archewell Foundation, have taken a stand in support of Ukrainians amid the ongoing war. On February 24, 2022, Markle and Prince Harry stated that they “stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law” and encouraged nations worldwide and “leaders to do the same.” After condemning the Russian attack on Ukraine, they partnered with several charities and began showing their support.
The Royal Family Assists
Many members of the royal family are donating and offering support to charities helping Ukraine. Her Majesty the Queen made a “generous donation” to the Disaster Emergency Committee in early March 2022. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles attended events to show support as did Prince William and Kate Middleton. Now, Markle and Prince Harry are joining them in their support efforts.
The Organizations Receiving Support
Markle and Prince Harry are supporting six organizations “working on the ground to support the people of Ukraine.”
- The HALO Trust. This is a nonprofit that Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, worked with. The organization works to “protect families from unexploded ordnance” while assisting “on the ground in Ukraine” to provide shelter to families seeking refuge, supply medical resources and services and convey “risk education messages” on how to recognize and avoid the deadly and unexploded weapons of war found on the streets. The organization has a Ukraine Crisis Fund, which the Sussex couple’s donations help support.
- HIAS. This organization typically works to provide assistance to “refugees of all faiths and ethnicities around the world.” The organization is proving hands-on help in both Poland and Ukraine, helping refugees cross the borders into safety. HIAS is also “providing funding and resources for housing, food and transportation.” The organization is also diverting critical funding to Right to Protection, an organization providing “legal assistance and advocating for refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons who have been forced [out of their homes]” in Ukraine.
- World Central Kitchen (WCK). WCK is “feeding refugees on the frontlines.” Under the leadership of Chef José Andrés, WCK provides meals to those in need and helps to “put lives back together in the wake of disaster.” When the war began, WCK started an initiative called #ChefsforUkraine to bring meals to Ukrainians. So far, the initiative has provided more than 1 million meals across five countries for Ukrainians and Ukrainian refugees.
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO continues distributing medical supplies and life-saving medication to Ukraine and neighboring countries. WHO is also providing medical expertise and medical services to “meet the urgent needs of civilians and refugees” and is setting up a hub in Poland to support refugees in Poland as well.
- Are We Europe. This is an independent media organization that supports local, independent media platforms in reporting on the dire, life-threatening situation in Ukraine. Through outlets like The Kyiv Independent, Are We Europe also provides accurate and vital information to the people while “ensuring that the world gets a detailed and factual picture of what’s happening.”
- Project Healthy Minds. This organization is providing mental health resources to Ukrainian people facing the consequences of conflict and violence. The organization has created a “resource guide” to provide more direct help to those who need it.
Providing Support and Raising Awareness
The Sussex dukedom is also helping “fight online disinformation and propaganda” through The Kyiv Independent. The Archewell organization is “inspired by the work these organizations have taken on” and the “stories from those on the frontlines.” The couple wants to help raise awareness and combat misinformation by supporting these media outlets during the ongoing war. Prince Harry, who is a former soldier, has even praised some of these organizations’ members for their bravery and thanked them for their life-saving work. Now, Markle and Prince Harry are both urging people to “take action” and help them “support or amplify” the efforts of these organizations.
The Response
The WCK’s José Andrés called the couple’s help “a blessing” and expressed great affection for the couple and their support. When praised by Prince Harry for their brave work, one HALO staffer called the war “a nightmare” she hopes to wake up from soon. And, another added that “[spreading]the safety messages will help. The more people see them, the more people stay safe.”
These are only a few examples of how Markle and Prince Harry’s donations have and continue to help Ukrainians. Their efforts also provide insight to the world on the tragic experiences Ukrainians are enduring. And, it is their hope that people will join them to support, donate and raise awareness for Ukraine.
– Marcela Agreda L.
Photo: Flickr