Information resources on the war in Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine has affected us even here in Botetourt, but it can be challenging to know whether the information you’re seeing is reliable. Check out our resource guide to the war in Ukraine at our website, BOCOLibraries.info.
The guide has five tabs. In the first, “What’s Happening Now,” you’ll find links to news sources and organizations that keep updated trackers on the latest action. From the Global Conflict Tracker by the Council on Foreign Relations to the latest news from the BBC, you can pick from multiple options to keep up-to-date.
The tab for Ukraine’s “History with Russia” goes in the opposite direction: looking at the Ukraine’s history, particularly in light of its neighbor, Russia. From a concise article in Britannica to digestible highlights from key news outlets, you can learn how this conflict didn’t emerge in a vacuum. There’s a long history behind the conflict we see today, and understanding it helps us make sense of what is happening on the other side of the globe. If you scroll down, you’ll also see a carousel of suggested reading about Ukraine, including books that set historical context.
OK, so now you have a clearer idea of what’s happening in Ukraine both in the past and today. How do you explain global affairs to a child? The tab on “How to Talk to Your Kids” lists resources that give you helpful tips for discussing the war in Ukraine with children of different ages. Also, the carousel of book recommendations at the bottom of the guide includes children’s books on life as a refugee, so they can better understand the plight of many Ukranians fleeing their country for safety elsewhere.
As you and your kids learn more about the plight of the people of Ukraine, you may feel the urge to reach out with whatever assistance is in your power. But what can you do from this side of the globe? And how can you be sure that your donations or actions don’t fall to a clever scam? The next tab, “How You Can Help,” offers multiple lists of legitimate, vetted organizations that offer humanitarian aid to the people of this war-torn country. You can donate or participate with confidence that your actions are making a real difference to real people in Ukraine.
Speaking of avoiding scams, let’s talk about the last tab, “Misinformation, Disinformation, and Propaganda.” While they’re often used interchangeably, these words identify specific types of false or misleading information. Faked videos, Russian claims, rumors and more abound, and it’s vital that we separate truth from fiction. These resources help identify “fake news” that has been carefully planted even in the United States – in widely-shared Facebook posts, YouTube videos, and more. Don’t be part of the problem. Learn how to check the facts with reliable sources.
We encourage you to take time to explore our guide to the war in Ukraine, and check back for updates as we add more helpful resources along the way.
– Botetourt County Libraries
