Wir schaffen das!

Abstract This is my first Editorial for Chemistry International as newly elected Treasurer of the Union. I feel very honored and proud that you have given me this mandate to serve the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and am grateful for your trust. When I was first asked to write this column, back in early February of this year, I planned to elaborate primarily on IUPAC’s financial situation, the effects of the pandemic and the way to a new normal. But then the unthinkable happened when Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February. Since then we have experienced a terrible and inhumane war in the middle of Europe and thousands innocent people have lost their lives, are fleeing their country, and suffering terribly.