As you know, the humanitarian situation is increasingly dire and desperate. Millions of people have no safe place to call home. More than 2.5 million have already left Ukraine, while countless more are still trapped underground, taking cover from the shelling, and desperate for a safe escape.

Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to get critical care to those who need it most, both in Ukraine and its bordering countries. But with recent freezing temperatures, and ongoing violence, an enormous number of people urgently need help right now.

We know the news coverage is overwhelming. But we need your support to keep responding. As the security situation allows, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will continue to respond to existing and emerging humanitarian needs. The Red Cross has supported people affected by this conflict for years and this will not stop now.

So far, Red Cross teams in Ukraine have distributed over 90,000 food and hygiene parcels and provided food, warm clothes, and other aid to around 7,000 people sheltering in metro stations in Kyiv. First aid training has also been delivered to over 12,000 people taking cover in metro stations and bomb shelters, so they have the skills to treat their loved ones if needed. Red Cross teams in bordering countries are offering medical care and providing food, aid and shelter to people arriving from Ukraine.

The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help us prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit our website