MORE than £2 million has been given out by the Island to support Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing Russian conflict.
The world reacted with shock and horror in late February when Russian troops invaded their neighbours in a conflict that has seen Ukrainian cities bombed and led to a refugee crisis.
A total of £375,370 has been given by Islanders to global emergency charity Side by Side who are collecting donations as part of the Bailiff’s Appeal which was set up to provide humanitarian aid for those escaping the war. And a further £268,203 has also been donated directly to the appeal – meaning that Islanders have given £643,573 to the cause.
The government also gave £1 million to support those fleeing the conflict and Jersey Overseas Aid pledged a £360,000 grant – bringing the total donations made by the Island to £2.15 million.
Last month, lorryloads of supplies from Jersey were handed out to Ukrainians desperately trying to flee the war and a number of trauma kits and 200 oxygen concentrators were also given to Ukraine.
Earlier this week, International Development Minister Carolyn Labey and Simon Boas, executive director of Jersey Overseas Aid, visited eastern Poland to follow up on the Island’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine.
Deputy Labey met Father Piotr Potyrala from Catholic group Caritas in Rzeszow. The organisation has been responsible for distributing some of the goods which were donated by Islanders at the start of the conflict.
She also met with JOA partner Crown Agents, who were given £200,000 from the Bailiff’s Appeal to fund 150 vests and helmets for medics in Ukraine.
Deputy Labey said: ‘It’s a humbling experience to meet ordinary Ukrainians who have displayed such extraordinary courage and resilience as well as the wonderful people assisting them. I’m so proud of our Island for the outpouring of support.’
Jersey Overseas Aid, which is responsible for distributing the money from the Bailiff’s Appeal, is currently working on agreements with Unicef and UNHCR, as well as RedR – who they will give £300,000 and £98,084 to respectively.
Humanitarian organisations Unicef and UNHCR are currently operating ‘blue dot hubs’ at border crossing points out of Ukraine. The hubs provide protection and services for families and children through the use of social workers, child psychologists, legal aid providers and interpreters. The £300,000 will be used to set up more hubs in Hungary, Moldova, Poland and Romania.
RedR provides training and technical support for organisations, workers and communities who are responding to humanitarian crises. The £98,084 will be used to support a learning programme for organisations providing humanitarian assistance to those fleeing Ukraine.
