June 22, 2022
Mobilizing support for war-torn Ukraine
Waterloo faculty, staff and students come together to show solidarity and provide relief
A grassroots fundraising and awareness initiative is underway on campus to support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.
Led by faculty, staff and student volunteers, University for Ukraine (U4U) aims to bring together the University of Waterloo community to show solidarity and provide coordinated relief to war victims.
“I’ve spoken to several students, colleagues and friends who ask how they can help Ukrainians in a meaningful way,” said Professor Serhiy Yarusevych, a Ukrainian-Canadian mechanical and mechatronics engineering professor and U4U co-founder.
“That’s where the idea for U4U began – to provide every person on campus a quick and easy way to make a difference in the lives of Ukrainians shattered by war.”
Volunteers aim to raise close to $50,000 by September through the U4U fundraising platform and awareness events hosted across campus throughout the summer.
An unprecedented need
Now four months since the Russian invasion, the humanitarian need in Ukraine has fast outpaced international support, Yarusevych said.
“In the 21st century, the fact that a war of this scale is happening is truly mind-boggling,” he said. “More than half of Ukrainian families have been separated. Five million Ukrainian refugees have been driven abroad. More than 10 million people have been displaced internally.
“Russian president Vladimir Putin has said publicly he is betting on the world losing interest in helping Ukraine. We’re asking the Waterloo community to join us in proving him wrong.”
How you can help
Tax-deductible charitable donations can be made through the dedicated U4U online platform. Donors are welcome to select their charity of choice.
Join U4U for their upcoming kick-off event: The War in Ukraine: What’s Next? This event will feature an expert outlook on the Russian war in Ukraine provided by political science professors Alexander Lanoszka and John Jaworsky. Their presentation will be followed by a discussion forum.
Date: Tuesday, June 28, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Location: In-person (STC 0020) or virtually (Microsoft Teams).
