Razom

Ukrainian-American human rights organization

Razom for Ukraine

Formation| January 2014; 10 years ago (2014-01)
Type| US 501(c)(3) organization charitable organization
Website| razomforukraine.org

Razom (Ukrainian: Разом) is a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organization established in 2014 with the mission to "unlock the potential of Ukraine".[1] Razom means "together" in Ukrainian. Its main goals are increasing civic engagement within Ukraine and engaging the voices of Ukrainians around the world. The organization uses social networking tools to reunite the global network of individuals in coordinating effort supporting shared goals. In 2022, Razom delivered $62M worth of aid to Ukraine.[2] In 2023, the organization received the Order of Merit, Class III, from President Zelenskyy, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.[3]

## History[edit]

* Dec. 2013 Established the private Facebook group Ukrainians Abroad for Euromaidan (now,[when?] over 3500 members)
* Jan. 2014 Board of Directors established and Razom registered as a non-profit incorporated entity
* Feb. 2014 Established the public Facebook page Razom For Ukraine (As of August 2023, over 53000 followers[4])

Razom's activity started in the late 2013, when Ukrainians in New York City and Washington, DC, were gathering at the impromptu demonstrations to show support for the Ukrainians during the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, which turned into a fight against then-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. The main goal of such demonstrations was to bring the Obama administration's attention to the events taking place in Ukraine.

The community organization Razom for Ukraine (Together for Ukraine) was legally established in 2014. With a core group of six people, it coordinated Ukrainian activists throughout the U.S. and maintains a global network of over 2,000 people.[5]

In 2014, Razom commissioned the 76-page report "Crisis in Ukraine: Its Legal Dimensions,"[6] prepared by a team of students of NYU School of Law. The report outlined legal conclusions on the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the Budapest Memorandum on international security guarantees, and the human rights and humanitarian law at issue. The Report also covered the right of secession, crimes of aggression, critical energy security issues, sanctions imposed on Russia; and relevant military law.

## Mission[edit]

Razom supports dedicated volunteers around the world united by the goal to build a democratic and prosperous Ukraine.[7] The organization creates spaces where people meet, partner, and work.

Razom's main activity is divided into several initiatives,[8] such as the Razom Emergency Response focused on purchasing medical supplies for critical situations. Razom Procurement and Logistics teams are worldwide networks of volunteers and partners operational since 2014. Razom is also working with governments and embassies on helping to establish humanitarian corridors.

## Officers and Board of directors[edit]

As of August 2023, the Board of Directors includes the following members:[9]

* Olya Yarychkivska
* Anastasia Rab
* Maria Genkin
* Olena Nyzhnykevych
* Nonna Tsiganok

As of August 2023, the Officers include:[9]

* Dora Chomiak (CEO)[3]
* Oksana Falenchuk (CFO)
* Zoe Ripecky (COO)
* Maria Soroka (VP of Advocacy)[10]

## Advocacy[edit]

Razom co-organized American Coalition for Ukraine,[11] which held three-day Ukraine Action Summit September 18-20, 2022,[12] and April 23-25, 2023.[13] The second summit was attended by 320 advocates from over 34 states, with 58 partner organizations represented. These advocates had dozens of planned meetings with members of the U.S. House and Senate, and aides, to advocate for continued support for Ukraine.[7]

Razom, in cooperation with Nova Ukraine, Houston for Ukraine and MedGlobal, hosted a delegation of religious leaders from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) for advocacy programming in Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas. [14] The delegation of Ukrainian clergy — Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim — came to Washington to impress upon policymakers the threat that Russia’s invasion of their country poses for religious freedom in a nation where pluralism has thrived,[15] following the UNESCO and Institute for Religious Freedom reports about the damaged religious sites and threats to religious leaders [16] [17]

From November 7-15, 2023, Razom hosted, with Yara Arts, Ukrainian Institute of America, Shevchenko Scientific Society and Bowery Poetry Club, a Ukrainian cultural festival in New York.[18]

In partnership with HeyLink.me, Razom has developed custom themes that reflect the organization's unique identity and goals, showcasing their mission: unlock the potential of Ukraine and promote Ukrainian culture, community, and humanitarian projects.[19]

## See also[edit]

* Nova Ukraine – U.S. nonprofit supporting Ukraine with humanitarian aid
* United24 – Ukrainian government-run money-raising platform
* Come Back Alive – Ukrainian non-profit organization supporting the Ukrainian armed forces

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ "About Us – Razom". www.razomforukraine.org. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
2. ^ ""2022 Impact in Review"". Razom for Ukraine. May 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
3. ^ a b "Dora Chomiak Receives, on Behalf of Razom, Order of Merit from President Zelenskyy". The Harriman Institute. September 25, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
4. ^ "Razom for Ukraine". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
5. ^ Soldak, Katya (2014-04-10). "In A Time Of Crisis, Ukrainians Abroad Unite". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
6. ^ "The Crisis in Ukraine: Its Legal Dimensions - Report Released". razomforukraine.org. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
7. ^ a b "Razom for Ukraine and Partners to Host 2nd Annual Ukraine Action Summit". Business Wire. April 18, 2023.
8. ^ "Razom – Together we are Ukraine". www.razomforukraine.org. Retrieved Aug 25, 2020.
9. ^ a b "Our team – Razom". www.razomforukraine.org. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
10. ^ Razom for Ukraine (February 21, 2024). "Our Team". razomforukraine.org.
11. ^ "American Coalition for Ukraine". www.americancoalitionforukraine.org. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
12. ^ "Ukraine Action Summit Fall 2022". www.americancoalitionforukraine.org. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
13. ^ "Ukraine Action Summit Spring 2023". www.americancoalitionforukraine.org. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
14. ^ "Razom and Partners Welcome Delegation from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations – Razom". www.razomforukraine.org. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
15. ^ Tumulty, Karen (2023-11-02). "Opinion | Russia is attacking religious freedom in Ukraine. Does Mike Johnson care?". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
16. ^ Smith, Peter (2023-10-31). "On a US tour, Ukrainian faith leaders plead for continued support against the Russian invasion". AP News. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
17. ^ Pinedo, Peter (October 31, 2023). "Catholic Church in Ukraine facing extermination, bishops say". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
18. ^ Razom for Ukraine. "UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL". Retrieved November 7, 2023.
19. ^ "How HeyLink.me Optimizes Online Presence of Businesses and Influencers in Ukraine and Worldwide". AIN.Capital. Retrieved March 28, 2024.

## References[edit]

* Soldak, Katya. "In A Time Of Crisis, Ukrainians Abroad Unite". forbes.com. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
* "The White Paper Presentation – "Crisis in Ukraine: Its Legal Dimensions"". witnewyork.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-05-14.