Ukrainians and supporters across Australia have raised more than $260,000 AUD through the Ukraine Crisis Appeal’s (UCA) winter fundraising campaign, Be the Light for Ukraine, providing urgently needed generators and batteries to communities across Ukraine facing a third winter of war.
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal is Australia’s largest community-run, tax-deductible humanitarian fundraiser for Ukraine. It’s powered by Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS), supported by the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and operated entirely by volunteers.
Launched in response to widespread attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the Be the Light for Ukraine Christmas campaign focused on delivering life-saving resources to frontline communities, hospitals, and evacuation centres struggling with power outages, freezing temperatures, and disrupted medical services.
Funds raised through the campaign are supporting the delivery of industrial and mobile generators, power banks, batteries and fuel, as well as essential medical equipment and supplies and humanitarian aid for displaced and vulnerable families.
This support is already helping to keep emergency and surgical wards operational, maintain rehabilitation and recovery centres, heat evacuation shelters during sub-zero temperatures, and ensure families remain connected, informed and safe.
“For communities under constant attack, electricity means survival,” said Director, Diahanna Senko. “A generator isn’t just a machine — it’s light in the darkness, power for hospitals, warmth for shelters, and hope for families who refuse to give up.”
As winter continues and attacks on civilian infrastructure persist, UCA remains resolute in its mission.
“Ukraine will not face this winter alone,” Diahanna said. “Australians have shown that even from the other side of the world, solidarity can deliver real, life-saving change.”
Earlier pro-Ukraine organizations in Italy, including the Network Associazioni per Ucraina (NAU), an associated UWC member in Italy, raised over €210,000 (approximately $250,000) in less than a week to support Ukraine through the “SOS — Warm Ukraine” campaign.
The initiative was launched in response to a call from the UWC following an appeal by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the UWC appeal, similar initiatives have been launched in other countries, including Canada, the Czech Republic, and Australia.
Cover: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
