Your IFI Contribution Saves Lives at Risk and Helps Ukrainian Populations Integrate into Israel

The Russo-Ukrainian war is a conflict between Russia and Ukraine that began in February 2014. At the height of the fighting in 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, a region of Ukraine with a large Russian-origin population. Other regions with Russian-origin populations, such as Donetsk and Luhansk, were left under the control of separatist forces with Russian support.

After months of diplomatic tension, the situation has significantly deteriorated. The Jews of Ukraine urgently need our help.

On February 24, 2022, Russia Launched a Military Offensive in Ukraine

The world is deeply concerned. The work of Keren Hayessod and the Jewish Agency in Ukraine has involved several key initiatives:

• Alyah
  We assist anyone eligible for Alyah to come to Israel. After opening their case, we provide pre-Alyah training, and in some cases, professional training as well.

• Educational Initiatives
  In partnership with local organizations, schools, and non-profit organizations, we provide educational content related to Jewish and Israeli identity.

• Emergency Management
  In close cooperation with local institutions, governments, and the State of Israel, we anticipate and respond to security situations that may threaten the Jewish community.

• Community Resilience
  While we facilitate Alyah for those who wish or need to leave, we maintain a presence on the ground to ensure the Jewish community remains strong, connected to Israel, and the Jewish people.

Alyah in Ukraine: A Critical Situation and Emergency Interventions

We estimate that 200,000 people in Ukraine are eligible for Alyah. Many of them benefit from the services of the Jewish Agency, particularly in the areas of pre-Alyah assistance, Jewish education, and informal activities. In 2021, 3,000 Ukrainian Jews made their Alyah, and we expect a significant increase in Alyah from Ukraine in 2022.

Jewish Agency Presence in Ukraine

The Jewish Agency has 29 delegates living in Ukraine, along with 65 family members. Additionally, the agency employs 90 local staff. Currently, most of the delegates working in education and their families have been evacuated to Israel, while senior delegates remain on the ground to manage Alyah operations and support the community.

Although our main offices are located in Kiev, Odessa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, the Jewish Agency is active throughout Ukraine.

Our Current Key Priorities

At present, we are managing several critical responsibilities:

• Ensuring the well-being of our delegates, their families, and our local employees.

• Accelerating the procedures for Alyah candidates amid a surge in requests.

• Supporting new immigrants from Ukraine participating in our programs in Israel. Currently, 1,500 young olim are participating in special programs in Israel, all concerned for their families still in Ukraine.

• Collaborating with the Israeli government to safely repatriate all Israeli citizens in Ukraine.

Urgent Interventions Required

We must carry out several urgent interventions:

• Evacuation of Israeli Nationals and Olim
  The Israeli embassy has temporarily relocated operations to Lviv, in western Ukraine, due to attacks on Kiev and the closure of Ukrainian airspace. Israeli nationals and olim must be evacuated by land. Lviv serves as a base for our Alyah activities.

• Temporary Housing for Future Olim
  Drawing from our 2014 crisis experience, we anticipate that thousands of Alyah candidates will require temporary shelter before being transferred to Israel. We must ensure their safety in transit centers and provide for their essential needs.

• Emergency Hotline
  An emergency hotline has been established to allow Ukrainian Jews to contact us. The hotline is overwhelmed with requests, and we must provide clear and accurate information about Alyah, with a 24-hour response team in place.

• Strengthening Communications
  We have equipped our staff and the local community with satellite communication devices, essential to keep our teams connected with each other and the headquarters in Jerusalem, especially in the event of local network failures.

• Emergency Housing for Conference Participants
  We must provide emergency accommodation for the 90 participants and staff members of the Annual Conference of Russian-Speaking Camp Counselors, who cannot return home to Ukraine or Russia.

Strengthening Security in Ukraine

We must enhance security services to protect local community centers from attacks and looting. We plan to provide grants to improve the security of these centers and ensure their continued operation.

Anticipating an Emergency Alyah

We anticipate the need for emergency flights for a rapid Alyah. In 2021, 3,000 olim made their Alyah from Ukraine, and we now expect 10,000 new immigrants. With Ukrainian airspace closed, we will need to organize land transfers through neighboring countries, leading to additional costs for transportation, accommodation, and security.

Support for New Immigrants

It will be necessary to finance the reception, accommodation in integration centers, and immediate needs of the new immigrants. We estimate that 2,000 people will require significant financial assistance and psychological support. We plan for three months of accommodation and care in our integration centers.

Gratitude to Partners and Donors

The Jewish Agency and Keren Hayessod - AUI are ready to implement all the priority measures mentioned. We express our deep gratitude to our partners and donors for their invaluable support, enabling us to carry out these critical relief operations worldwide.