As the world marks the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine – and the beginning of what continues to be the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II – Jewish Federations reflect on the unbelievable reality that the Ukrainian people have suffered four years of unimaginable loss, displacement, and death. 

 

Our hearts continue to ache alongside theirs, but we also marvel at the resilience they've shown both at home, amidst continuous Russian bombardment, and abroad, as strangers in foreign lands. 

 

From the very beginning, Jewish Federations of North America vowed to stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it took, and that work continues today - as shown in the February 2026 impact report.  

 

All 141 Federations, as well as our partners, the Jewish Agency, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and World ORT, have collectively raised and allocated over $100 million in humanitarian aid to meet the urgent needs of Ukrainians.  

 

In 2025, Federations allocated just over $5.2 million in emergency funds for Ukraine. This aid was distributed to the Jewish Agency and JDC for ongoing work, and in smaller amounts to organizations such as Chabad to support the celebration of Passover and the High Holy Days. 

 

Utilizing the existing strong communal infrastructure on the ground, which has been built over time since the fall of the Soviet Union, and decades of global Jewish experience in crisis management, Jewish Federations significantly boosted Ukrainians’ abilities to survive the difficult war with Russia. 

 

Together, we’ve focused our efforts on six key areas, including volunteerism and humanitarian aid. 

 

By April 2025, Federations’ humanitarian support made a significant impact: 

 

• Over 507,000 people have received assistance 
• 55,500+ vulnerable Ukrainian Jews have received support from JDC, including food, medicine, and homecare 
• 1.6+ million pounds of humanitarian aid — including food, coal, heaters, and cooking stoves — has been delivered to Jewish communities in Ukraine and Moldova 
• Eight Trauma Support Centers have enabled over 3,700 individuals to cope with war-related stress and psychological trauma 
• 13,000+ refugees were safely evacuated through coordinated efforts, including specialized transport for elderly and disabled individuals 

 

This work has touched all aspects of Ukrainians’ lives. Through Federations’ partnership with the Jewish Agency, hundreds of Ukrainian children have been able to learn, connect, and celebrate Jewish life at summer and seasonal camps.  

 

In the summer of 2025, Jewish Agency camps served 245 participants with 37 local and Israeli counsellors, while seasonal day camps served 264 campers with 48 counsellors. Partner summer camps in Ukraine served an additional 352 campers with 42 counsellors. 

 

ORT Ukraine, another Federation core partner, has helped fill the gaps in education for children throughout the country. During the 2025-2026 school year, it served 8,258 students across 20 institutions, including 3,906 students attending Jewish ORT and ORT-affiliated schools. Despite the constant disruption of war, ORT provides safe learning environments that ensure that Jewish education and community life remain possible. 

 

Jewish Federations' Global Volunteer Hub (GVH), launched in 2022 with initial core anchor partners the Jewish Agency and JDC, has also played a pivotal role in supporting Ukrainian refugees in the initial rapid response phase and in mental health crisis needs. Over the past four years, the GVH has coordinated over 300 volunteer placements with 21 partner organizations in 9 countries. GVH volunteers are on a different “front line,” far from the battlefield, but close to the emotional anguish and suffering that Ukrainian refugees experience. 

 

Volunteers with the GVH have shown incredible dedication, often returning to volunteer with Ukrainian refugees multiple times. Lidia Zambilovici, a volunteer with roots in Moldova, has worked with Ukrainians of all ages; most notably, teenagers at summer camps in her home country. Mother-daughter duo Inna and Sophia Muntyan utilizes Hibuki therapy to help young children and their parents cope with trauma, addressing their widespread mental health needs.  

 

Despite the unprecedented work we’ve done so far, the need remains. We cannot afford to stop.  

 

Watch some of the highlights of our work in Ukraine below: