Evacuating African & Caribbean student refugees in Ukraine
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$5,420
A donation of £4,000 to a grassroots initiative led by Patricia Daley, Tokunbo Koiki and Korrine Sky—supported by the organisation Sonaaar—to help African and Caribbean students escape the war in Ukraine. Our donation provides emergency assistance and relocation support to students facing both the violence of conflict and the added burden of racial discrimination.
- Region 🇺🇦 Ukraine
- Sector ⛑️ Relief
The war in Ukraine has forced millions to flee. Among those caught up in the chaos are thousands of African and Caribbean students who went to Ukraine to study. When fighting broke out, they headed for the borders alongside Ukrainian citizens only to encounter blatant discrimination: some were denied places on buses and trains; others were turned back at crossing points and left to fend for themselves in freezing conditions.
The situation came to light when Korrine Sky, a 26‑year‑old medical student in Dnipro, began tweeting about her ordeal. Her messages were picked up by Patricia Daley, a 29‑year‑old barrister, and Tokunbo Koiki, a 40‑year‑old social worker in the UK. Together they launched a campaign to raise awareness and funds, rallying volunteers and creating a network to help stranded students reach safety. Their efforts have since been bolstered by Sonaaar, an organisation led by Giselle Frederick that mobilises resources for African diaspora causes.
Why this matters
No one fleeing a war should face further danger because of their skin colour. By supporting this initiative, we stand against discrimination and ensure that African and Caribbean students are not forgotten in the rush to evacuate civilians. This donation also reflects the solidarity of the diaspora: people of African heritage coming together to protect and support each other in times of crisis.
How the donation helps
Our £4,000 donation helps cover the practical costs of evacuation and relocation for these students. This includes emergency transport out of conflict zones, temporary accommodation, basic supplies and travel documents, as well as small grants to help students settle safely in neighbouring countries or return home. The funds are managed by the organising team, who work directly with affected students to assess needs and allocate support quickly.