LINKS between Jersey and Ukraine remain strong as the conflict in the eastern European nation enters a third year.
Fundraising efforts and other support from Jersey began soon after the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, and remain active.
Ukrainian-born Nika Terry, who moved to Jersey 14 years ago, was closely involved in setting up a twinning relationship between St Helier and her home city of Mykolaiv.
Ms Terry said the Island’s Ukrainian community had been very appreciative of the support provided by Jersey, which has included over £1.3 million raised through the fund established by The Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq in collaboration with local charity Side by Side.
“The relationship that’s developed is a long-term one and we hope it will continue,” she said. “There is a sense of war fatigue and so what’s happening here around the anniversary has helped keep Ukraine in people’s minds.”
Parish officials recently met staff from Mykolaiv Zoo as part of a trip that also included a visit to Jersey Zoo, while on the eve of the two-year anniversary Jersey Overseas Aid hosted a talk by Colonel Tim Collins, patron of Friends of Ukraine EOD.
Latest information published by Jersey Overseas Aid to coincide with the anniversary shows that support from the Island to Ukraine and neighbouring countries has reached £3.4million in total – among the highest per capita contributions in the world.
A spokesperson for Jersey Overseas Aid said: “In neighbouring countries we have provided support for refugee reception centres in Poland, Slovakia and Moldova and supported much-needed mental health and psycho-social support for those fleeing the violence.
“Inside Ukraine we have supplied thousands of trauma kits for medics, dozens of incubators for babies, hundreds of oxygen concentrators and many other essential items, all coordinated with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the United Nations and other partners.
“We were also one of the first donors to send Ukrainian women on training courses in Explosive Ordnance Disposal.”
lAn interview with Colonel Tim Collins will be published this week in the JEP.
