SAA Stands in Solidarity with Ukrainian and Russian Archivists

March 7, 2022—The Society of American Archivists stands in solidarity with our Ukrainian and Russian archival colleagues; we recognize that the unprovoked invasion by Russia has great impact on their personal lives and their work. SAA unites with people and organizations of conscience from around the world in denouncing the aggression by Russia, which has since resulted in lives lost, the displacing of millions of Ukrainians from their homes, and destruction to land and property.

SAA together with the International Council on Archives urges the Russian government to respect the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. In addition, SAA joins with ICA in making available where it can assistance to Ukrainian colleagues working to safeguard at-risk archives. The SAA Foundation’s National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives provides assistance for the recovery of damaged or at-risk archival materials, available to international repositories and special collections under exceptional circumstances such as this crisis.

As we continue to hope for peace, there are a number of organizations providing humanitarian support to the Ukraine that welcome assistance (courtesy of NPR):

• UNICEF supports health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families.
• Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders helps people travel to health care facilities and access prescribed medications.
• Voices of Children provides psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by the armed conflict.
• Sunflower of Peace is preparing first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
• International Committee of the Red Cross supports the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
• Save the Children delivers lifesaving aid to vulnerable children.
• UN Refugee Agency provides emergency and resettlement assistance.
• CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund provides immediate aid including food, water, hygiene kits, support services and direct cash assistance.
• International Medical Corps provides primary health care and mental health services.