pull, aid, assist

援 is composed of the radical 手 (hand) and 爰 (pull, draw). 爰 is a pictograph depicting two hands pulling a rope in opposite directions, inherently implying traction or pulling. The addition of 手 emphasizes this action. 援 can also be interpreted as one person using a rope to pull another person out of an abyss, thus extending to mean assistance or rescue.