According to what you read online, there are over 6 million Ukrainians that have left Ukraine because they lost or were forced to flee their homes since the start of the war. That’s more than the entire state of Colorado. They say another estimated 6 million have been displaced within the country. Go ahead and google your county or state population to give yourself some perspective. I read that over 4 million jobs have been lost, so even for some who are staying in their same apartment a lack of income threatens them with losing their home too.
Most of the people I know who have fled are some running out of savings, staying with a friend, still searching for somewhere they can afford long term, considering going back, or some combination of all of the above. Many are struggling financially on top of everything else they’re going through. Some friends are staying places for free, some need about $400 a month, and others are paying over $2000 (yeah, US dollars) a month. Can you imagine losing your home, your belongings, your community, your family, your country and then being somewhere where you know you can’t keep paying or will end when your host’s budget/generosity runs out?
That’s why we’re starting a new fundraising campaign called Rent for Refugees.
We’re looking for donors who can give now in a one-time donation to kick start the campaign. And we’re looking for people who can commit to giving monthly for 1 year towards giving someone a sense of security with where they are living. (If requested, monthly donors will be given the name of a Ukrainian they are helping to house via DM or email.) We’d like to commit to giving people one year of not having to worry about moving again unless they choose to. Most of us probably can’t afford to pay all of someone’s rent, but my 50 bucks and your 20 and someone else’s 250 just might get someone a sense of safety. What if instead of going out you ate at home so you could put that money towards someone having a home?
Please consider how you might be able to help. Any amount, large or small, will help towards our goal.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2RBZ5XVF3NG98