The war in Ukraine is in its third month, and it has taken a toll on many individuals, obviously those in Ukraine, but also Americans are feeling the impacts. 

On February 24, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, “Russian units which have been withdrawn from around the capital Kyiv are unlikely to regain combat effectiveness for some time”, says the Institute for the Study of War.”

Currently, there are over 5 million refugees that have fled Ukraine, and 100,000, came to America. Many are escaping to nearby countries such as Poland, Romania, and Hungary. 

“Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $7.3 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes security and non-security assistance. Furthermore, the United States provided three sovereign loan guarantees totaling $3 billion,” according to the United States Department of State. 

Katarina Manoff, an immigrant to the United States from Kharkiv, said, “As the war went on, our mental health [started] really suffering. You see these horrible atrocities; you see these photos,” she notes. “Our friends send us the photos that don’t even make it to the big outlets. I have seen so many dead bodies and disfigured bodies, and just so many dead kids.” 

 Christine Mahler, a guidance counselor at Hall High School, suspects we can help those who are suffering from this war. She argues, “We can be involved with more fundraisers, which would help raise awareness. When we get involved, and have the community get together, it strengthens our community and shows we are supportive of our neighbors and those with connections to Ukraine.” She believes that when we come together, we can be more connected to the people around us. 

To raise awareness and show support for Ukraine, Hall students made a “sunflower garden” out of colored sunflowers. Many teachers have also displayed the Ukrainian flag outside their classroom doors.