Ukraine: NI donates £1.4m in four days

By Q Radio News

A humanitarian appeal for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine has raised £1.4m in just four days in Northern Ireland.

Donations to the appeal from right across the UK have reached £100 million pounds so far - the equivalent of more than £1m an hour since the official launch last Thursday. 

Charities on the ground are urging people to give cash donations instead of specific items, which will help provide Ukrainian refugees with food, water, sanitation and health provisions.

The appeal has been coordinated by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to save, protect, and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response in times of overseas crisis.

In Northern Ireland, it is supported by the British Red Cross, Save the Children, Tearfund and Concern Worldwide.

More than 1.5 million people have been forced to flee Ukraine due to the conflict, and many more have been displaced inside the country.

Most of the refugees are women and children, forced to abandon their homes and loved ones to find sanctuary in neighbouring countries.

DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine, border areas and neighbouring countries working to meet all of their immediate needs.

Thanks to these donations and the £25m in match-funding from the UK Government, DEC charities have already started to use funds to deliver vital aid and scale up their response.

Peter Anderson, Northern Ireland Director at Concern Worldwide (UK), said:

“It is heart-warming to see the people of Northern Ireland donate such a significant amount of money to humanitarian aid efforts for the people of Ukraine.

"Along with their local partners, DEC charities are delivering aid on the ground, working to meet people’s immediate needs of food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care for those fleeing the conflict.

"This money will go a long way in supporting that, however I would urge those who can to continue donating as the number of people affected will undoubtedly continue to rise.”

Kevin McCaughan, Senior Institutional Programme Funding Officer at the British Red Cross in Northern Ireland, said:

“The response in Northern Ireland has been overwhelming, and we thank each and every individual who donated in the last few days for their generosity.

"The circumstances facing the people of Ukraine are unimaginable, and we know the need for humanitarian support will exist in the long term.

"With this in mind, we would encourage those who feel they can to continue donating and help the people of Ukraine in their darkest hour.”

Funds donated via the DEC appeal will help these charities continue to meet the most urgent needs of food, water, sanitation, and health provisions.

Members of the public can donate at dec.org.uk or by calling 0370 60 60 900, or by texting SUPPORT to 70150 to donate £10.

Ukrainian Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing food and other necessities to about 8,000 people who are sheltering in a subway station in Kyiv