As the world recoils in horror at the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine, it is becoming very obvious that there will be a humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions. Men women and children still in Ukraine will be in desperate straits. Those people able to flee as refugees to neighbouring countries may be slightly safer but will be just as dependent on help, as they arrive with little more than the clothes they stand in.

Disaster Aid UK and Ireland are joining Governments, Aid Agencies and NGOs in trying to establish what help could be given to these survivors who have nothing and maybe not even a country. Help will be desperately needed.

The situation is so time critical, that as we continue to work out the best form our aid should take, we are launching an appeal to raise funds, so that when we have established an appropriate response, we can act quickly and decisively to direct the aid where it is needed.

We have started investigating and are actively trying to establish contacts and partners who can outline the need. Clearly, sending aid into a war zone could be fraught and may not reach it’s intended recipients. However, there may be merit in trying to help refugees and the aid may be more sustainable and transparent. Part of our philosophy always is to try and direct resources to people who have been overlooked by other efforts.

We are not a political organisation, quite the opposite in fact, and it is not our place to judge but simply to try and help the survivors of this man made, rather than our usual natural disaster.

At this stage we ask you to do what you always do and trust us to act with our usual integrity, transparency, professionalism and compassion as we come up with a plan to distribute resources that we know will be so generously provided by our donors.

We know that this is not our usual modus operandi and that it unusual to ask for donations when the details of our response are not finalised. However, on this occasion, we feel justified in acting so quickly. Please urgently consider giving to this appeal to help give the people of Ukraine a ‘hand up, not a handout’ in their hour of need.