HIAS, an international Jewish humanitarian organization based in Silver Spring, Maryland, has announced a $10 million grant from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett in support of its response to the needs of refugees from Ukraine, including humanitarian aid, resettlement/relocation services, housing, education, health, mental health, and gender-based violence risk reduction.

According to HIAS, which was founded in 1881, the gift will be used to support capacity building for Jewish communities across western Europe, partnerships with local municipalities and community partners, the voluntary relocation of Jewish populations, and in some cases, their reunification with family in the U.S. and other countries. With women and children representing the vast majority of refugees, the grant will enable HIAS to support local women’s rights organizations focused on improving the safety of women and girls displaced by the crisis.

In addition to the latest commitment, HIAS received funding of an undisclosed amount from Scott and Jewett, as part of Scott’s June 2021 round of $2.74 billion in grantmaking.

“HIAS has been working in independent Ukraine for over 20 years, working with Ukrainians and launching a Ukrainian-led organization (Right to Protection-R2P) to protect and welcome asylum seekers from other countries as well as displaced Ukrainians themselves,” said HIAS president and CEO Mark Hetfield. “Today, we are working with partners—many of whom are displaced persons themselves—to help refugees and the displaced be safe, welcome, and able to lead their lives until they can finally return home.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Joel Carillet)