DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE IN UKRAINE - ReliefWeb
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DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE IN UKRAINE
ENHANCING ENHANCING
COORDINATION IN COORDINATION IN
HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
ACKNOW-
LEDGEMENTS
The DEMAC and Owl RE research team would like
to thank the members of diaspora communities in
Ukraine and across the world, as well as the represen-
tatives of donors, UN agencies, NGOs, government
officials, and other actors who dedicated their time
providing information and sharing their valuable
knowledge and experiences.
This study is made possible by the generous support of the American
people through the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Danish Refugee Council on
behalf of DEMAC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the
United States Government.
Published June 2021
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ABOUT
DEMAC WHY
The mission of DEMAC is two-fold: DIASPORA?
1) t o enable inclusive coordination and collaboration among diaspora organizations
providing humanitarian assistance, and across diaspora organizations and institutional
humanitarian actors Work with diasporas has shown that diaspora organizations are multi-sectoral, fast responding
actors who work transnationally, including in countries facing humanitarian crises. Having a
2) t o facilitate higher levels of engagement and visibility for diaspora organizations connection and understanding of their country of origin or heritage plays a vital role in humanitari-
in the humanitarian system an assistance where diaspora organizations often are part of the first response in the aftermath
of a disaster.
The objective is to contribute to transforming the humanitarian ecosystem by laying the
groundwork for a deeper understanding of diasporas as humanitarian actor groups with They are also key actors when it comes to raising the alarm in times of crisis. The ease and
different modus operandi for the implementation of aid in practice, identifying and opening frequency of communication between local communities and diaspora organizations means that
potential spaces for engagement and cross-fertilization, and improving coordination they can be alerted in real-time, and their capacity to collect and disperse funds rapidly ensures
between diaspora and institutional relief providers. that they are a key factor in unlocking the first responses in crisis settings. In hard-to-reach places
where access may be an issue, diaspora organizations have a unique advantage due to their local
connections and ties. They use their transnational position to respond to the growing demands
for remote management and cross-border response in countries where international actors have
a limited presence, and to advocate on behalf of crisis affected populations in the policy arenas
DEMAC
of their countries and regions of residence.
Supporting diaspora as part of a broader humanitarian ecosystem to play a key role in humanita-
rian responses and provide vital support to communities in countries of origin, contributes to the
AIMS AT
relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of humanitarian responses. In light of their transnational
identity and close local ties, it is also strongly linked to the localization agenda, one of the main
commitments under the Grand Bargain. Localization aims to strengthen the resilience of local
communities and to support local and national responders on the front line. UNOCHA has called
furthermore for an indispensable opening of the resource base of humanitarian action by integra-
ting ‘non-traditional actors’ - such as diasporas - to enhance the effectiveness of the humanitarian
response and render it interoperable.
Diaspora organizations are part of and playing a central role in localization. Many can be conside-
red frontline responders themselves, making direct and concrete contributions to emergency
01 02 03 responses in their home countries. Others work closely with local authorities, local organizations
and community groups, providing technical and financial support, playing a role in advocacy and
linking local actors with additional sources of support.
Diaspora organizations are heterogeneous – they have different capacities, values and approaches
Enhancing knowledge Increasing awareness Improving coordination and as part of a broader humanitarian community can play a valuable and agile role in humanitari-
an responses. However, assistance provided by diaspora organizations and the formal humanitarian
between diasporas on diaspora‘s communcation and actors often follow parallel tracks, resulting in a lack of mutual understanding and recognition,
and humanitarian humanitarian coherence of and thus a lack of coordination and collaboration that would be of benefit to the overall response.
institutions interventions humanitarian response
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WHAT
NOW?
Building on expertise gained since its inception in 2015, DEMAC is further consolidating itself Building on these experiences and the past and present research, DEMAC will develop an
as a permanent platform – a one-stop-shop – for enhancing mutual knowledge and coordination operational framework for diaspora and humanitarian actors, to improve future responses to
between diaspora humanitarian actors and the international humanitarian system. humanitarian emergencies. Through the development of a standardized approach for the inter-
national humanitarian system to assess and document the role and impact of diaspora in selected
DEMAC’s work has been a key factor behind stronger representation and visibility of diaspora emergency responses, DEMAC will enhance the knowledge and awareness of the nature and
organizations in the humanitarian eco-system – a first and core example hereof being the significance of the diaspora followed by the facilitation of internal discussions on how the
coordination of joint messaging and participation of diasporas as a stakeholder group to the system could and should relate to and coordinate with diaspora emergency actors.
World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in 2016, which was a key factor to putting diaspora
humanitarianism on the map. Furthermore, DEMAC will use the documentation from selected diaspora emergency responses
to engage with diaspora humanitarian actors to enhance the generation of lessons learned and
DEMAC has also piloted concrete liaison structures between diaspora and institutional humani- self-reflections from diaspora-led emergency responses with a view to adjust their approach
tarian actors towards improving operational coordination in specific crisis settings. Another core and discuss how to engage with the international humanitarian system.
contribution to the role of diaspora humanitarianism has been continuous knowledge development:
DEMAC has conducted a number of studies aiming to increase understanding of motivations and DEMAC will develop guidelines, tools and resources in support of diaspora emergency engage-
modus operandi of diaspora humanitarian engagement, replacing assumptions with evidence on ment, with a view to remain prepared to support diaspora organizations’ engagement in new
diaspora contributions1. emergency responses and facilitate coordination among responding diaspora organizations
and between diaspora organizations and the humanitarian system.
Finally, DEMAC will enhance the knowledge among diaspora organizations about the
humanitarian system to enhance probabilities of coordination between the two.
DEMAC is currently working with five selected emergency-prone focus countries, while at the
same time remaining prepared to engage with and support diaspora from additional countries
should a humanitarian crisis unfold in their country of origin.
1
DEMAC conducted research to increase knowledge on diaspora humanitarian engagement.
These studies can be found on the DEMAC homepage under resources.
Creating Opportunities to work with diasporas in humanitarian settings, May 2018
Diaspora Drought Response - Somaliland and Puntland, March 2017
Diaspora Humanitarianism: Transnational Ways of Working, March 2016
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Acronyms and abbreviations 8
Executive Summary 10
1. Introduction 16
2. Methodology 17
Acronyms and abbreviations
3. Context 20
CBO Community-based organizations 3.1. Humanitarian actors and coordination 21
CUF Canada Ukraine Foundation 3.2. Humanitarian response 25
DRC Danish Refugee Council 3.3. Ukranian diaspora 26
EU European Union
GBV Gender-based violence 4. Diaspora humanitarian response 32
GCA Government-controlled area 4.1. Motivations for humanitarian response 32
HCT Humanitarian Country Team 4.2. Diaspora response activities 33
HRP Humanitarian Response Plan 4.3. Coordination and implementation 38
ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross 4.4. Coordination in countries of residence 44
IDP Internally displaced person 4.5. Diaspora financing for humanitarian response 45
IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and 4.6. Planning, targeting and selection criteria 47
Red Crescent Societies
INGO International non-governmental organization 5. O
verview of diaspora humanitarian response 49
L/NNGO Local/National non-governmental organization 5.1. Diaspora transparency and accountability 54
NGCA Non-government controlled area
PPE Personal protective equipment 6. Gaps and challenges in diaspora humanitarian response 58
UUARC United Ukrainian American Relief Committee
UN United Nations 7. Future diaspora response and engagement in Ukraine 61
UN OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs Recommendations 63
URCS Ukrainian Red Cross Society
UWC Ukrainian World Congress Annex A: Table of people interviewed 68
WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Annex B: List of diaspora organizations assessed 70
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Diaspora organizations are transparent in
reporting their activities via social media and
The humanitarian response of diaspora on their websites, but tend not to use more
organizations can be characterized as small- formal, structured or detailed accountability
scale, ad-hoc and punctual. The support was mechanisms as this is not required by their
EXECUTIVE
seen as responding to urgent needs often supporters.
with little distinction made between civilians
and military as beneficiaries. The majority of Gaps and challenges identified in the huma-
diaspora organizations support the families nitarian response of diaspora organizations
SUMMARY
and children of killed or wounded soldiers included a lack of time/capacity and regular
and/or directly support the military and funding, limited collaboration with institutio-
consider this support as humanitarian. nal humanitarian actors, challenges in respec-
ting the humanitarian principles of neutrality
Diaspora organizations mostly implement and independence and difficulties in adhering
activities through local/national non-govern- to common humanitarian standards.
mental organizations (L/NNGOs) or directly
Nearly half were based in North America and themselves with volunteers, local institutions Future diaspora response and engagement
the other half in Europe, Israel and Australia. and community groups. Approaches to im-
The majority of diaspora organizations were plementation have ranged from transferring Research for this study highlights some dif-
This case study is part of the Diaspora created spontaneously after the unrest of funds to volunteers on the ground to cover ferences in how diaspora organizations and
Emergency Action and Coordination 2013-14. Older diaspora organizations were immediate basic needs, to the shipment of institutional humanitarian actors implement
Platform‘s (DEMAC) „Research study initially created in order to promote Ukrainian containers of medical items to local part- and define humanitarian response. The reac-
on diaspora humanitarian response and culture in their countries of residence, with ners for onwards distribution, to establishing tive and spontaneous approach to cover the
engagement“. little focus on humanitarian response in offices in Ukraine for short periods to oversee basic needs during the unrest of 2013-14 was
Ukraine, with the exception of small-scale a specific project or linking with a recognized also followed when conflict broke out in the
provision of support. With the outbreak of humanitarian actor such as Caritas for imple- east of the country in 2014.
Ukraine has been blighted by unrest and conflict in 2014, the main motivation for the mentation.
conflict for decades with many Ukrainians humanitarian response was a wish to preserve As the conflict has continued, diaspora orga-
leaving to seek a better life elsewhere. Over the territorial integrity of Ukraine, driven by Although diaspora organizations often nizations have adapted their approach. They
1 million people have received humanitarian patriotism and empathy for fellow Ukrainians. coordinate with local authorities, communities have built up longer-term relationships with
assistance in 2020, with the focus on the and medical institutions, there was limited partners and communities on the ground and
conflict-affected eastern Ukraine, in addition Most diaspora organizations focus their coordination with institutional humanitari- developed links with health facilities, provi-
to the COVID-19 response. humanitarian response on health and rapid an actors. This coordination only took place ding them with ongoing support in the form
assistance such as providing food, cash, and through the few who partner with L/NNGOs of equipment and sometimes training.
Recent estimates put the size of the Ukraini- clothes to those in need. A key feature of linked to global networks and international
an diaspora at some 7 million, although other Ukrainian diaspora organizations’ humanitari- NGOs (INGOs). The COVID-19 response of diaspora organiza-
estimates consider 12-20 million to be more an response is that they have tended to follow tions also largely supported health facilities.
realistic. There are approximately 1,000 an initial response by those on the ground. Diaspora organizations are mainly funded Coordination between diaspora organizations
Ukrainian diaspora organizations around Diaspora individuals have then picked up by diaspora supporters with very few recei- and institutional humanitarian actors is often
the world. on the momentum from abroad and formed ving funds from institutional donors. Their limited because of the low capacity and re-
groups to firstly send cash to purchase basic humanitarian assistance is rarely based on an sources of the diaspora organizations. Dif-
This case study identified 23 Ukrainian dias- assistance, before following this up with more established set of selection criteria or formal ferent motivating factors and principles also
pora organizations that were regularly active complex forms of support, such as medical assessments but more on requests coming hinder collaboration in terms of actual imple-
in humanitarian response. training and equipment. directly from Ukraine. mentation.
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Recommendations Strategic planning:
It is proposed that DEMAC strengthens its Diaspora organizations do not have sys-
role in leading and supporting greater enga- tematic planning processes in place but are
gement between institutional humanitarian instead driven by requests for support which
actors in Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora they respond to when they have sufficient
globally. funds raised or commodities ready to ship.
Opportunities to support the involvement of
These recommendations require further diaspora organizations and their partners in
inputs and validation from the diaspora institutional humanitarian processes should
organizations, their partners and other be identified.
humanitarian actors. Recommendations
are organized around the humanitarian Resource mobilization:
program cycle and contain specific action Funding for Ukrainian diaspora organizati-
points listed at the end of the case study ons is not continuous in nature, limiting their
ability to forward plan humanitarian response.
Alerts and needs assessment: There are several areas where institutional
Diaspora organizations tend not to undertake humanitarian actors could further engage
structured humanitarian needs assessments. with diaspora organizations to strengthen
They primarily base their responses on re- their access to more predictable forms of
quests coming from communities in Ukraine financing. These include supporting the
and sometimes on targeted assessments partners of diaspora organizations with integ-
linked to their area of expertise. Diaspora rating their response data within the Financial
organizations and partners should be appro- Tracking System; targeting funding towards
ached to gauge their interest in participating diaspora organizations in their countries of
in inter-agency needs assessments and residence, including by providing matching
training opportunities. funds; and strengthening fundraising capacity.
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Implementation:
Diaspora organizations implement humani-
tarian response through L/NNGO partners
on the ground or directly. There remains
potential to increase engagement between Coordination:
institutional humanitarian actors and diaspora The research found that coordination with
organizations in implementation. Establishing institutional humanitarian actors was almost
a dialogue between institutional humanitarian entirely absent. Coordination could be further
actors and diaspora organizations in relation strengthened through initiatives of both dia-
to humanitarian principles and standards is a spora organizations and institutional huma-
critical gap which needs addressing. nitarian actors in order to facilitate two-way
information sharing on humanitarian needs
Peer review and evaluation: and priorities with the aim of implementing
Assessment and evaluation of diaspora complementary responses.
humanitarian response tended to be informal
and not systematic. Diaspora organizations Information management:
are not required by their supporter base The sharing of information by diaspora
to put more effort into assessment and ac- organizations and their partners was limited.
countability and would not necessarily have This could be strengthened by reinforcing
the current capacity to do so. Nevertheless, mechanisms to share information between
there are potential opportunities in this area diaspora organizations and institutional hu-
to increase their involvement and motivation manitarian actors, in order to ensure that a
through an engagement and exchange with clear picture of humanitarian response data
the institutional humanitarian actors. is available to all.
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2.
METHODOLOGY
1. Limitations:
INTRODUCTION
A small number of limitations to the
The research approach was based on an research should be highlighted as follows:
initial desk review, which mapped the structu-
re and activities of 23 Ukrainian diaspora • Within the research timeframe, it was not
organizations that could be identified as possible to identify, describe and analyze all
active in humanitarian response.3 diaspora organization humanitarian response
from 2014-2021. In recognition of this, the
The Diaspora Emergency Action and Coor- The mapping was followed by the collection research focused on information from the
dination platform (DEMAC) was launched by of primarily qualitative data through further 23 identified diaspora organizations and the
the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in 2015 desk review and semi-structured interviews 11 interviewed, with the aim of highlighting
and is currently supported with funding from with diaspora organizations and groups, the the different approaches adopted.
USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), internatio- • The case study is not fully representative
In line with the objective to facilitate increa- nal non-governmental organizations (INGOs), of diaspora organization humanitarian
sed common ground between diaspora and The findings of this study will be shared with local and national Ukrainian NGOs (L/NNGOs) response and has focused on the most visible
formal humanitarian action and enhance Ukrainian humanitarian actors including dia- and Ukrainian community-based organizati- diaspora interventions. This has still allowed
mutual knowledge and coordination between spora organizations and groups, as well as ons (CBOs). In total 22 people were for the drawing of conclusions and recom-
diaspora and humanitarian actors and the more broadly within the humanitarian sector. interviewed.4 mendations to support future engagement.
international humanitarian system,
The case study is retrospective, covering the Due to COVID-19 movement restrictions, data • It was not possible to hold discussions
DEMAC has conducted three case studies.2 period 2014-2021, providing an analysis of the collection was all undertaken remotely. Some with any diaspora organizations providing
These aim at contributing to strengthening emergency humanitarian response of Ukraini- basic data on the activities of diaspora orga- support in the non-government controlled
the DEMAC platform by providing insights an diaspora organizations and groups during nizations was also gathered on issues such as area (NGCA). Ukrainian organizations are
into the current modalities of diaspora hu- that time. The research looked at the methods their structure, activities and partners. not engaging in the NGCA for political and
manitarian interventions and develop recom- used to mobilize diaspora resources and the legislative reasons. It is likely that Russian
mendations, resources and tools to support means used to provide humanitarian response The qualitative and quantitative data were diaspora organizations or groups are provi-
enhanced operational and strategic commu- as well as implementation arrangements and collated and analyzed to identify major trends ding assistance in the NGCA but the desk
nication, and cooperation between diaspora forms of interaction with the international and findings that form the basis of this case review was unable to provide concrete
and institutional humanitarian actors. humanitarian system. study. evidence of this.
2
This case study focuses on Ukraine with research carried out by Dina Volynets with the support of Glenn
O’Neil and Lois Austin of Owl RE, research and evaluation consultancy. The other two case studies focus
on Pakistan and Somalia. Please see Annex B for those diaspora organizations covered in the mapping.
3
Please see Annex A for the list of stakeholders spoken to.
4
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3.
CONTEXT
Ukraine has been blighted by unrest and conflict for decades. The result has been Ukrainians The conflict has provoked a more professio-
leaving their homeland in order to seek a better life elsewhere, either permanently or with the nal approach to the receipt and distribution
intention of one day returning. of humanitarian aid by state authorities (for
example by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs,
Health and Social Policy). This phenomenon The 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP)
gained momentum during the COVID-19 pan- gives an indication of the scale of these
Eight years since the eruption of the conflict, The contact line has forced a physical, eco- demic and much international humanitarian humanitarian needs in Ukraine. It seeks finan-
some 3,000 civilians have lost their lives and nomic, and social separation between the support in the form of personal protective cial support to meet the needs of 1.9 million
over 3.4 million people continue to be expo- government-controlled area (GCA) and the equipment (PPE) and medical equipment conflict-affected people, asking for USD $168
sed to the consequences of what can now NGCA, disrupting lives, livelihoods and mar- was organized by diaspora organizations, million to provide humanitarian aid and pro-
be considered a protracted crisis. There have kets, and causing incredible difficulty for and then distributed by the state authorities.8 tection to the most vulnerable. Recent years
been numerous ceasefires (29 in total) which those who need to cross the line. The existing have seen a decrease in funding through the
have been consistently violated, negatively five official crossing points will be increa- According to UN OCHA, the armed conflict HRP with the 2018 HRP being only 37 per cent
affecting the lives of those living near the sed to seven in 2021; however, restrictions of is likely to continue throughout 2021 but funded and less than half of the targeted 2.3
427km-long contact line which was esta- movement risk exacerbating vulnerabilities on with low intensity. Fighting flared up again million beneficiaries actually reached.11
blished in September 2014 and has split the both sides (although more so in the NGCA). in March 2021 breaking the already fragile
Donbas region in two. ceasefire.9 The impact of COVID-19 will con- 3.1. Humanitarian actors and coordination
A recent statement by the UN Humanitarian tinue to be felt until at least mid-2021, and The institutional UN humanitarian coordi-
The contact line and its surrounding area, Coordinator in Ukraine called for increased the humanitarian situation is expected to nation system in Ukraine was launched in
which is heavily populated and where civilians humanitarian access to those in the NGCA, continue to worsen during the winter months. late 2014. Although some UN agencies and
and military intermingle and live side-by-side, stating that the almost complete closure of all Those most affected by the crises are the INGOs were present in Ukraine before the
is riddled with landmines and other unexplo- crossing points along the ‘contact line‘ for ten elderly, people with disabilities, female-hea- conflict, their focus had been on longer-
ded ordnances, possibly across 7,000 square months (due to COVID-19 restrictions) has re- ded households and children, including some term development work. The UN coordina-
km.5 One side of the contact line is govern- sulted in a 97 per cent decrease in crossings. 340,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) tion structure is headed by a Humanitarian
ment controlled, whilst to the east of the line This is devastating, particularly for the hun- living in undignified conditions.10 In addition Coordinator and a Humanitarian Country
lies the NGCA. The affected population on dreds of thousands of people who depend on to the conflict in the east, seasonal flooding in Team (HCT) which is composed of a number
both sides of the contact line is in ongoing access to social benefits and services which western Ukraine creates recurring humanitari- of UN agencies and INGOs and one national
need of humanitarian assistance.6 they only receive in the GCA.7 an needs. NGO.12
8
Kyiv has received the biggest humanitarian cargo from China to counter the spread of COVID-19: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/
news/do-kiyeva-pribuv-najbilshij-za-obsyagami-gumanitarnij-vantazh-z-knr-dlya-protidiyi-poshirennyu-covid-19
9
Fighting Escalates in Eastern Ukraine, Signalling the End to Another Cease-Fire: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/30/
Landmine Monitor 2020: http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2020/landmine-monitor-2020.aspx
5
world/europe/ukraine-russia-fighting.html
OCHA (2021), Ukraine: 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarian-
6 10
OCHA Ukraine: https://www.unocha.org/ukraine
response.info/files/documents/files/hrp_2021-eng_-_2021-02-09.pdf Ukraine: 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan(HRP) - End Year Report: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/opera-
11
UN Ukraine (February 2021), Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine calls for the improvement of humanitarian access to peop-
7
tions/ukraine/document/ukraine-2018-humanitarian-response-planhrp-en-end-year-report
le in need in the conflict-affected areas: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/ 12
UNHCR; OHCHR; UNOCHA; WHO; IOM; UNICEF; FAO; UNDP; ACTED, DRC, Norwegian Refugee Council, People in Need
documents/files/2021_02_hc_statement_eng.pdf (PIN), Première Urgence Internationale (PUI), Save the Children, Caritas Ukraine, and Right To Protection.
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The cluster system in
Ukraine is set up as follows:
Education Emergency Food Security
Shelter/Non- & Livelihoods
Food Items
Categorizing organizations providing However, it struggled to engage with local
Health Protection* Water, humanitarian assistance into INGOs and actors as all meetings were held in English. In
& Nutrition* Sanitation L/NNGOs is complex in Ukraine. In order to addition, L/NNGOs had difficulty in unders-
& Hygiene be given the status of a local organization tanding the need for this additional coordina-
(WASH)
(which can facilitate both implementation of tion platform on top of the cluster system.
activities and access to funds which are only
available to local organizations), a number of The diversity of conflict-related humanitarian
INGOs have registered offices in the country. needs and the complexity of providing assis-
Examples include ADRA; Caritas Ukraine; tance close to the control line is challenging
and HelpAge. The ACCESS Consortium for both international and local actors. In
There are additional working groups for the coordination of cash assistance and information provides another example of this.14 addition, GCA areas are the focus of develop-
management. Coordination offices are situated in Kyiv, Donetsk, Kramatorsk, Luhansk and ment-oriented actions. Development approa-
Sievierodonetsk. In addition, some INGOs have created in- ches in the NGCA are not supported by the
dependent L/NNGOs as seen with Right to Government of Ukraine.
In 2020 an HRP for the COVID-19 pandemic was developed as an addendum to the existing HRP. Protection (R2P) which is the operational
It set out additional humanitarian activities in eastern Ukraine with a focus on the public health successor of the INGO HIAS. R2P is a member An additional challenge for working in the
impact of the pandemic as well as the indirect impact on people’s wellbeing. of the HCT.15 NGCA, where there are ongoing widespread
humanitarian needs, is the requirement to
The 2021 HRP indicates a total of 120 operational partners, including 69 L/NNGOs. The previous Ukraine NGO Forum, which obtain specific accreditation from the authori-
Diaspora organizations are not mentioned.13 has not been functioning since 2019, was also ties on that side of the control line. When the
registered as an L/NNGO. It was launched accreditation system was introduced in 2015
Outside the HRP, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is represented in in 2015 with ECHO‘s support as a project of a number of local organizations formed infor-
Ukraine by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) which is supported by the International Save the Children, DRC and People in Need mal community groups to bypass the system,
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); the International Federation of Red Cross and Red (PIN), focusing on both humanitarian and but this only facilitated the implementation
Crescent Societies (IFRC); and a number of fellow National Societies. development response. of small-scale humanitarian activities.
14
The European Union-funded ACCESS consortium is composed of a mix of INGOs and L/NNGOs of People in Need (PIN);
*
supported by a number of technical working groups Medicos del Mundo (MDM); ACTED; Right to Protection (R2P); and IMPACT Initiatives.
13
OCHA (2021), Op. Cit. 15
R2P began working with refugees in 2001 and since 2014 has focused on internally displaced persons.
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3.2. Humanitarian response
Over one million people have received
humanitarian assistance in 2020 with the
focus on conflict and pandemic-related
needs.
According to UN OCHA, the humanitarian
response in Ukraine significantly scaled up
each year from 2014 through to 2017.
However, since 2017 humanitarian response The COVID-19 response allowed institutional
has plateaued at roughly the same level.16 humanitarian actors to reach more people in
the NGCA than before as the pandemic pro-
The 2021 HRP summary17 highlights that vided the opportunity to negotiate for increa-
during the first nine months of 2020, over sed access. The Government of Ukraine also
1 million people in Ukraine received humanita- took on a number of services within the GCA
rian assistance, more than half of whom were previously undertaken by institutional huma-
women and close to ten per cent were people nitarian agencies, such as the reconstruction
with disabilities. 2020 saw additional humani- of conflict-damaged homes.
tarian action to respond to needs emanating
from the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of institutional humanitarian
agencies continued to contribute to the
The focus of the pandemic response in the humanitarian response in 2020 outside the
conflict-affected part of Ukraine was primarily HRP. For example, the URCS together with
on public health and WASH activities inclu- the IFRC and ICRC, focused on raising awa-
ding the provision of laboratory support (by reness and preventing the spread of the
the World Health Organization); procurement pandemic, distributed PPE and provided
and distribution of medical and hygiene items local hospitals with the medical equipment
including PPE and test kits for both sides of needed; the URCS continued its previous
the contact line; online training, including for projects focused on blood donation,
specialists in local state institutions in relation psychological support, mine security, first
to gender-based violence and the principles aid training, providing assistance to emergen-
of psychosocial care; contact tracing; mobile cy-affected people (after seasonal floods in
health units; mental health and psychosocial western Ukraine and fires in eastern Ukraine);
support; infection prevention and control; hy- and the ICRC continues to be active with
giene promotion; and distribution of hygiene a number of assistance and protection
items. programs on both sides of the control line.
16
OCHA (2021), Op. Cit.
OCHA (2021), Ukraine HRP- at a glance:
17
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2021_hrp_launch_at_a_glance-_2020-11-25.pdf
24 25ENHANCING ENHANCING
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HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
1.000
DIASPORA
ORGANIZATIONS
GLOBALLY
According to the Global Ukrainians Network,
there are currently more than 1,000 Ukraini-
Post-2014 formal diaspora organizations
which often started as groups on Facebook,
providing spontaneous food, cash and non-
food support in the conflict-affected east of
Ukraine, and have later applied more formal
project management systems to their work.
Staff of these diaspora organizations often
$14 BILLION
an diaspora organizations around the world. do not work full time for the organization
They are diverse in size, focus, status, struc- but have developed systems to engage with
ture and activities. This case study identified local businesses and with the older diaspora
23 Ukrainian diaspora organizations that were organizations in their countries of residence.
REMITTANCES regularly active in humanitarian response with
2018 nearly half (9 out of 23) based in North Ame- An example would be the Razom for Ukraine
rica and the other half based in Europe, Israel which provides funding to support the trai-
23
UKRAINIAN DIASPORA
and Australia. This research has identified
three main categories of Ukrainian diaspora
organizations as follows:
ning of military veterans. Their project plan-
ning cycle is relatively short, normally 3 to
12 months. These organizations usually imple-
ment both development and humanitarian
ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE Formal diaspora organizations that have projects focusing on vulnerable people
IN HUMANITARIAN existed for more than 50 years. across Ukraine, including in the GCA.
RESPONSE They include:
Informal diaspora organization initiatives
•U krainian World Congress (UWC) – which were formed in 2013-14 based on
an association of Ukrainian diaspora Facebook groups helping Euromaidan pro-
organizations from over 60 countries. testors in Kyiv during this period in an ad-hoc
• United Ukrainian American Relief way. As humanitarian needs have become less
Committee. urgent, they have shifted their focus to vete-
rans and children on a small scale (supporting
3.3. Ukrainian diaspora These diaspora organizations link with go- two or three families for example), as well on
The Ukrainian diaspora is estimated at bet- vernment bodies both in Ukraine and in their cultural life in their communities.
ween 7-20 million with over 1,000 diaspora countries of residence. They often provide
organizations globally. Recent estimates put the size of the Ukrainian support to formally structured organizations Their humanitarian engagement is short-term
diaspora at some 7 million19 although other in Ukraine (such as Caritas Ukraine) on and reactive, but they have often proved to
Official records of the diaspora go back to estimates consider 12-20 million to be more a grant/project basis. be able to respond rapidly to urgent needs
1709. Since the 1800s there have been diffe- realistic.20 The largest (and the oldest) com- – transferring goods within one month, and
rent waves of migration across the globe both munities reside in the Russian Federation, They tend to be formally structured and a few weeks, for financial transfers. These
to neighboring countries as well as further Canada, and the USA.21 Traditionally, Ukraini- require approval from their governing bodies organizations tend to provide small-scale,
afield. Between 2014 and 2016, as a result of ans living and working abroad send significant before engaging in humanitarian response, spontaneous support (whereas the post-2014
the conflict in the east of the country and the funds back to Ukraine. Although it is difficult thus limiting their ability to be involved in diaspora organizations above provide larger-
associated economic downturn, there was a to make an accurate calculation, in 2018 these rapid or spontaneous responses. Instead, they scale support on an ongoing basis). Exam-
sharp increase in emigration from Ukraine, in remittances were reported to amount to USD provide regular support to charitable ples include the Association of Ukrainians in
particular to European Union (EU) countries.18 $14 billion.22 interventions. Ankara.
18
„Why we are leaving Ukraine“:
https://commons.com.ua/uk/chomu-mi-vsi-valimo-migratsiya-z-ukrayini-do-yevropejskogo-soyuzu-v-chasi-vijni/
19
EUDiF (2020), Diaspora Engagement Mapping – Ukraine:
https://diasporafordevelopment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CF_Ukraine-v.4.pdf
20
IOM (2013), Migration in Ukraine: Facts and Figures: https://iom.org.ua/sites/default/files/eng_ff_f.pdf
21
Ibid
22
„Ukraine has received a maximum record of wire transfers from abroad“: https://ua.112.ua/ekonomika/ukraina-
otrymala-rekordni-14-mlrd-dolariv-hroshovykh-perekaziv-z-za-kordonu-v-2018-rotsi-487256.html
26 27ENHANCING ENHANCING
COORDINATION IN COORDINATION IN
HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
Overview of structures of
23 mapped diaspora organizations The following is an overview of the structure and modus operandi of six of the more formal
diaspora organizations engaged in humanitarian response identified through this research.
Bevar Ukraine - Volunteer Association Ukrainian World Congress (UWC)
Residing country: Denmark Residing country: Canada
3
Active since: 2014 Active since: 1967
12
Structure: Global association with
Structure: Registered as association, membership fees and national branches; has
covers administration costs by membership. just created an endowment fund. The leader-
FORMAL DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS Each project has a volunteer manager. ship consists of the Executive committee,
WHICH PROVIDED HUMANITARIAN vice presidents, Board and Audit committee.
ASSISTANCE PRIOR TO 2014 AND
CONTINUE TO DO SO.
Description: International coordinating
Description: Total USD $1.7 million body for Ukrainian communities across the
DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS THAT raised since 2014. Focuses on supporting diaspora. The UWC was recognized in 2003
STARTED PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN orphanages, schools, hospitals and hospices
(nursing homes for elderly), shipping used
by the United Nations Economic and Social
Council as an NGO with special consultative
ASSISTANCE AFTER 2014 AND medical equipment and supplies. Works status and obtained participatory status as
CONTINUE TO DO SO ON A PROJECT- directly with Danish medical institutions an NGO with the Council of Europe in 2018.
BY-PROJECT BASIS. and charitable foundations. More often coordinates rather than imple-
ments projects.
8
LESS FORMAL DIASPORA GROUPS THAT STARTED
PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AFTER
2014 AND HAVE NOW SHIFTED THEIR FOCUS TO
Main areas of intervention:
Health, education, support to the elderly.
Main partners: Ukrainian Ministry of Health,
Local charitable foundations.
Main areas of intervention: Economic de-
velopment, education, livelihoods, health.
Main partners: Caritas,
UWC branches in different countries.
OTHER AREAS (SUCH AS CULTURE, VETERAN Funding: Diaspora and business donations, Funding: Diaspora and business donations.
SUPPORT, ADVOCACY). grants from Danish foundations.
No direct engagement with No direct engagement with
humanitarian system humanitarian system
Geographic focus:
Eastern Ukraine (in terms of conflict Geographic focus: Ukraine
affected territories), Ukraine (in terms
of COVID-19 response).
28 29ENHANCING ENHANCING
COORDINATION IN COORDINATION IN
HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
Nova Ukraine United Ukrainian American Relief Committee Support Hospitals in Ukraine Razom for Ukraine
Residing country: USA Residing country: USA Residing country: USA Residing country: USA
Active since: 2014 Active since: 1944 Active since: 2014 Active since: 2014
Structure: Registered in USA, has two
Structure: Registered organization, Structure: Not formally registered, functions Structure: Registered in USA, has a Board
offices - in Philadelphia, USA and Kyiv,
no staff, volunteer organization. as a project; no staff, only volunteers. consisting of eight members.
Ukraine.
Description: Dedicated to raising awareness Description: Created to help Ukrainians Description: The organization is commit-
about Ukraine in the USA and throughout leaving Ukraine after World War II. Provides ted to supporting Ukrainian hospitals with Description: Unites various Ukrainian
the world, in addition to providing humani- humanitarian aid to Ukrainians in Ukraine, modern (but used) medical equipment and activists throughout the USA and maintains
tarian aid to Ukraine. They organize fund- Romania, Poland, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Argen- supplies shipped from the USA. Their main a global network of over 2,000 people.
raising events, meetings with high-profile tina and the USA. In addition to humanita- US partner is US-based CURE project that Annual budget was USD $110,000 for 2019.
Ukrainians, round table discussions dedi- rian response focused on education, they accumulates used medical equipment for Focuses more on advocacy and develop-
cated to Ukraine and Ukrainian culture and are often the first to respond to victims of charity. USD $3.8 million is the value of the ment support, but still helps the conflict-
participate in various cultural events. Since natural disasters such as floods or mine medical equipment delivered to hospitals affected population and war veterans.
December 2013, Nova Ukraine has collected accidents. in Ukraine in 2014-2021.
over USD $500,000 in donations.
Main areas of intervention: Main areas of intervention: Health, education, Main areas of intervention: Main areas of intervention:
Health, economic development. elderly support. Health Health, veteran support, education, culture.
Main partners: Project CURE, Razom for Main partners: Nova Ukraine, United Help
Main partners: Patients of Ukraine L/NNGO. Main partners: Caritas, Dzherelo Children‘s Ukraine (diaspora organization), Patients of Ukraine, Support Hospitals in Ukraine,
Rehabilitation Center. Ukraine (L/NNGO). Ukrainians in Germany.
Funding: Diaspora and business donations. Funding: Diaspora and business donations. Funding: Diaspora and business donations. Funding: Diaspora and business donations.
No direct engagement with No direct engagement with No direct engagement with No direct engagement with
humanitarian system humanitarian system humanitarian system humanitarian system
Geographic focus: Geographic focus:
Eastern Ukraine (in terms of conflict affected Eastern Ukraine (in terms of conflict Geographic focus: Eastern Ukraine
Geographic focus: Ukraine (in terms of conflict affected territories),
territories), Ukraine (in terms of COVID-19 affected territories), Ukraine (in terms
response). of COVID-19 response). Ukraine (in terms of COVID-19 response).
30 31ENHANCING ENHANCING
COORDINATION IN COORDINATION IN
HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
4.
DIASPORA
HUMANITARIAN 4.2. Diaspora response activities
RESPONSE
Building on the initial ad-hoc support
to cover the basic needs of the 2013-14
Euromaidan protestors, in 2014, diaspora
organizations shifted their focus and their
approach to humanitarian engagement as
attention moved to the conflict in the east.
4.1. Motivations for humanitarian response This then developed into the provision of A key feature of Ukrainian diaspora organi-
Older diaspora organizations were initially in-kind and financial support to those caught zation responses is that they have tended
created in order to promote Ukrainian up in the protests. This form of support con- to follow an initial response by those on the
culture in their countries of residence, with tinued when conflict broke out in the east of ground. Diaspora individuals then pick up on
little focus on humanitarian response in the country. All interviewees for this research the momentum from abroad before forming
Ukraine, with the exception of small-scale highlighted that the main motivation for pro- groups to firstly send aid (often in the form The money received from Ukrainians living
provision of support. With the outbreak of viding humanitarian aid to Ukraine was a wish of cash to purchase basic assistance such abroad covered most of the needs in 48
unrest and conflict, the main motivation was to preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as food) and then follow this up with more hours. Money was sent to volunteers in
a wish to preserve the territorial integrity driven by patriotism and empathy for fellow complex forms of support, such as medical Ukraine who delivered the items where they
of Ukraine, driven by patriotism and empat- Ukrainians. training and equipment. were needed. Volunteers from the Ukrainian
hy for fellow Ukrainians. diaspora also set up video calls with Euromai-
Analysis from this research shows that For example, during the Euromaidan pro- dan protestors to provide support through
The older diaspora groups were originally Ukrainian diaspora organizations consider tests, a diaspora coordination center was the night.
created to promote Ukrainian culture abroad their help as an act of patriotism. This partly established in New York, where volunteers
with little focus on humanitarian response explains why most of them consider military that now form the Razom for Ukraine, Nova The mapping undertaken as part of this
back home. During the Euromaidan protests support and supplies to military volunteers Ukraine and United Help Ukraine started to research identifies diaspora organizations as
in 2013-14, in a demonstration of solidarity, as a type of humanitarian aid. Only a couple rally people from all over the world to support focusing their humanitarian response in the
the diaspora was motivated by the upheaval of diaspora organizations identified make protesters in Ukraine. They used social media, following areas of intervention, with most
in the country and became more active, or- no mention of supporting the military and/ creating a Facebook group called “Foreign engaged in health, food security and/or live-
ganizing protests and embarking upon advo- or their families and focus only on affected Ukrainians of the Euromaidan”23, aiming to lihoods. The latter came in the form of more
cacy campaigns on the political and human populations such as displaced persons or raise funds to cover the basic needs of the rapid assistance such as providing food, cash,
rights situation in Ukraine. the wounded. protesters, and calling for volunteers. and clothes to those in need.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukrainians.abroad/
23
32 33ENHANCING ENHANCING
COORDINATION IN COORDINATION IN
HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
Health:
The provision of medical support is one area
in which diaspora organizations are heavily The diaspora organization then sends a volun-
involved as seen in the examples below. teer to Ukraine to assess hospital needs, sub-
This area of their work is that which is most sequently raising funds (some USD $25,000) Rapid assistance:
closely linked to institutional humanitarian from the diaspora to fund the operational The provision of rapid assistance involves the immediate provision of basic items during the acute
actors. Since the beginning of the conflict expenses of sending a container of items. The phase of a crisis (e.g. Euromaidan protests and displacement of population in the east in 2014). In
in 2014, this support, coming from diaspora packing list is sent to the customs broker of these instances, diaspora organizations connected with volunteers on the ground, transferring cash
individuals and organizations, has focused the Support Hospitals in Ukraine, a registered to them to enable the purchase of basic items for those in need. This diaspora organization explai-
on providing local organizations and hospitals non-profit Ukrainian partner organization, ned the nature of its support:
with in-kind items such as hygiene kits and and the partner is able to obtain a customs
medical equipment. Diaspora medical exemption for the consignments on humani-
personnel have also been deployed to train tarian grounds.
Ukrainian medical staff.
Similarly, Bevar Ukraine has been sending
„We set up a hostel of apartments
In 2020, diaspora organizations have
continued providing medical support in
trucks of medical equipment to Ukraine
(43 trucks and two planes since 2014) from
not too far from Maidan for people to go
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two of Denmark to the value of some USD $1.7 and sleep and shower and have a hot meal,
the largest diaspora organizations that have million. Both diaspora organizations are
focused on medical assistance are Support however sending this assistance not only to so it was quite hands-on. As the crisis
Hospitals in Ukraine (US based, not formal-
ly registered) and Bevar Ukraine (Danish,
the conflict-affected east of the country but
throughout Ukraine, and both organizations evolved then we had to change with
formally registered). Both have memoranda
signed with local and/or national authorities.
send the assistance as and when a truck or
container is full.
the crisis.”
Support Hospitals in Ukraine reports sen- This therefore follows a supply-driven as
ding some USD $3.8 million worth of medical opposed to needs-driven approach. When
equipment (which it calls humanitarian cargo) the focus is on distribution of commodities, Diaspora organizations then adopt different
from the USA to Ukraine since 2014. Support diaspora organizations tend to wait until they modalities for providing support, ranging
Hospitals in Ukraine has a USA-based partner have sufficient cargo to send support, making from direct individual financial support and
that collects surplus medical supplies and planning of distribution and implementation presents for Christmas, to organizing camps
equipment from hospitals in the USA. timeframes difficult. and foreign retreats for veterans and their
children. The latter is usually undertaken in
Other forms of response which diaspora coordination with local authorities and busin-
organizations considered as humanitarian that esses as seen with the Ukrainian diaspora in
fall outside of the traditional areas of institu- Turkey. For example:
tional humanitarian intervention include:
• In 2017 the Turkish Ukrainian Family NGO
Health 17 Support to families and children of killed or organized for 12 children from the Poltava
wounded soldiers: Frequently mentioned by region whose parents were wounded or
Food security and livelihoods diaspora organizations as humanitarian aid is killed in the conflict to travel to Turkey for a
(including rapid assistance) 15
the support they provide to families and chil- 10-day summer vacation where the children
dren of killed or wounded soldiers. Similar to were hosted by the Ukrainian diaspora living
Education 5 military aid described below, this support was in Turkey.24
organized on a “someone who knows someo-
Economic development/ ne” principle. An individual from the diaspora • In 2017, the Ukrainian volunteer association
3
incomegeneration receives an email or a call from a relative or Wings organized a 10-day trip to the Baltic
friend in Ukraine whose family member or Sea for more than 50 children from
Shelter 3 friend has suffered and now needs help. Luhansk.25
Figure 1: http://np.pl.ua/2017/06/ukrajintsi-turechchyny-vlashtuvaly-dityam-zahyblyh-bijtsiv-ato-vidpochynok/
24
Main areas of intervention where diaspora organizations http://kryla.org.ua/shlyahamy-bezvizu-dity-donbasu-zdijsnyly-zahoplyuyuchyj-tur-krayinamy-baltiyi-latviya-estoniya-finly-
25
have been active (23 organizations – multiple responses) andiya-lytva/
34 35ENHANCING ENHANCING
COORDINATION IN COORDINATION IN
HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN
SETTINGS SETTINGS
Support to the military:
As support from diaspora organizations began to center on the situation in the east of the country,
the assistance they provided became directed towards the Ukrainian Army, volunteer battalions
and, later, veterans (according to interviewees, an estimated 70 per cent of diaspora aid was focu-
sed in this direction).
This support tended to be provided unofficially and to an extent ‚under the radar‘, particularly at
the beginning of the conflict, both because of the mixed reputation of the Ukrainian military system
and the legal restrictions in diaspora organizations’ countries of residence, which mostly forbid the
provision of support to the military of other countries.
Despite the ad-hoc nature of the support and the absence of alignment with common humanitarian
standards and principles, most diaspora organizations would classify their response as humanita-
rian because in post-Soviet countries “humanitarian” meant “free”.26 As this diaspora organization
explained:
„Ukrainian diaspora has a distorted
understanding of humanitarian aid -
everything that is free - is called humanitarian.”
Community level development:
A number of ongoing diaspora organization Types of crises: Diaspora organization
projects have focused on supporting commu- humanitarian engagement in Ukraine sin-
nity-level development, providing support to ce 2014 has focused primarily on providing
children and adults living along the contact support during times of unrest, violence and
line. For example, United Help Ukraine has conflict. With the continuing conflict in the
supported selected communities since 2014, east of the country, this engagement is also
recently raising USD $5,000 to provide a trac- ongoing (albeit only in the GCA).
tor to the church in Pervomaiske village (Do-
netsk oblast) to ensure that residents living Diaspora organizations also regularly respond
along the contact line were able to continue to annual floods in the west of the country
farming. and other small-scale crises as they occur.
However, many diaspora organizations are
Activities not undertaken: Diaspora organiza- not only responding to these crises but tend
tions did not report being involved in pro- to provide assistance across the country,
tection activities nor was there any focus on including in locations not experiencing
integrating gender-sensitive approaches. humanitarian crises.
For example, in the early 1990s Ukraine received humanitarian aid as a “third world country” due to the Chernobyl disaster.
26
Many Ukrainians who are now in their 30s and 40s remember receiving stationary, toys and clothes from humanitarian or
diaspora organizations.
36 37You can also read
