1. What is happening?
In the morning hours of February 24, 2022, Russia announced an invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the Russian military operations have had dire consequences on the Ukrainian population and infrastructure, threatening civilian lives and forcing families to flee their home and country.
Large numbers of families are on the move, arriving at train stations, bus stations and administrative hubs in need of information and assistance; transportation to friends, family and safe places for shelter and support; food, water and items to protect them from the harsh winter conditions; case-based problem solving such as being put in contact with pharmacies or doctors for medical needs; assistance with legal documents; psychosocial support; and assistance to children in need of psychological help.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 2 million people have already fled Ukraine, and over one million more are on the move within the country, escaping violence – thus creating the worst refugee crisis in the last 75 years in such short period.
The situation is changing every moment and it’s hard to predict its future developments.
2. What is our response?
Development and Peace immediately mobilized $75,000 from our funds for emergency food assistance, shelter, medical care and transport to safe locations. Our partners in the region are Caritas-Ukraine (an NGO of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine) and Caritas-SPES (an NGO of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine).
Thanks to generous Canadians like yourself, we have raised over $830,000 to date.
Caritas-Ukraine and Caritas-SPES are helping vulnerable Ukrainians meet their basic needs during their chaotic displacement, and neighbouring Cartitas organizations, along with their diocesan offices, are joining urgent efforts to support displaced families, including by providing the following:
- Field kitchens to provide food.
- Reception services at Caritas offices, train stations and other locations for displaced families in transit. These will provide information, referrals, food, water, hygiene items and psychosocial support.
- Transportation of displaced families to friends, families and local social services.
- Evacuation centers providing shelter, food and psychosocial support for displaced families.
3. How can I send in my donation quickly?
A. Donations by credit card (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX)
- Online: Donations can be sent securely via the Development and Peace website here: Emergency – Ukraine
- Toll free number: 1 888 664-3387
B. Donations by cheque or money order
Please make out the cheque or money order to Development and Peace and mail it to:
1425 René-Lévesque Boul. West, 3rd Floor, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1T7
Write Ukraine Emergency at the bottom of the cheque as a reference.
4. What percentage of my donation will go towards administrative costs?
Development and Peace applies an administrative fee of 5% on emergency donations received from the public. It covers the extra work arising from the emergency, such as accounting procedures, recording donations, telephone operators, fundraising, sending out receipts, etc.
5. Will I receive a tax receipt?
If you donate $10 or more, you will receive an income tax receipt.
6. What is the organization’s registration number?
Our registration number is 11882 9902 RR0001.
Development and Peace is a charitable organization recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency since October 20, 1967.
7. Can I send you medicine, blankets or other non-perishables?
No, Development and Peace does not accept such gifts. Sending these goods by boat or plane is very expensive and time-consuming. In addition, companies or institutions in the affected country can provide these goods and deliver them much more quickly to where they are needed.
8. Can I volunteer in the regions affected by the crisis?
Development and Peace does not send volunteers and prefers, for reasons of efficiency, to support local organizations already in place. These NGOs have the personnel on site to organize the efficient distribution of food and goods and to reach communities affected by this disaster.
9. Will the Canadian government double the donations received?
Not at this time.
10. I want to organize a fundraiser. How can you help me?
The best way is to reach out to our animators, who will be able to provide information on actions already planned in your region. Their names and contact information can be found here: Contact
If a local fundraising activity is organized, it is preferable to send in the proceeds by issuing a single check payable to Development and Peace. It is also very important to provide Development and Peace with the list of donors, their contact information and the amount of their donations so that we will be able to issue their tax receipts.
