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Statement on the war on Ukraine

UNC School of Social Work’s Global Engagement Office released the following statement on March 1, 2022:

As social workers, we subscribe to the principle of social justice by challenging injustices everywhere. Advocating and working with vulnerable and oppressed people for their well-being and the good of all humanity remain the center of our work. In times of war, we work to broker peaceful resolutions of conflicts across the globe, while condemning egregious acts of aggression. Russia’s recent military invasion of a democratic Ukraine is deserving of such a moment.

The School of Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill condemns the Russian military’s attack on the people of Ukraine. Such violence generates needless loss of life, destroys infrastructure, and negatively impacts the world’s social, political, economic, and environmental landscape.

To be clear, civilians suffer the most during any war, and our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people. Regardless of where we live, we are all affected by this war. As social workers, we call on our profession to do what we do best and engage in social change.

Below are just a few ways that you can support those impacted by the war.

  • Let your local, national, and international leaders know that the war in Ukraine is unacceptable. Our leaders should sponsor and support diplomatic negotiations that will end the war in Ukraine.
  • Support efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries to alleviate their people’s suffering by directing your donations to those organizations on the ground, such as:
    *Voices of Children Foundation – Helping children of war since 2015
    *Save the Children – Global leaders in child health, education and protection
    *World Central Kitchen – James Beard Award Winning Chef and Humanitarian Jose Andres founded WCK to feed people in the wake of disasters and is already in Europe providing meals to thousands of people in Poland, Romania, and inside Ukraine
    *Razom – provides medical supplies to Ukrainians
  • Take time to understand the history and context of the war in Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine can also trigger traumatic memories for those who have experienced similar violence, especially for individuals from the former Soviet Union countries and other countries, including Syria, and Iraq. Show your support by checking on your friends, neighbors and loved ones who may struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder or other traumas during this time.

We hope for a swift resolution to an unnecessary, unjustified invasion of Ukraine. May the rights, dignity and peace of the Ukrainian people prevail. We also stand with those Russians who oppose such violence and aggression from their own government.