$372,234 Raised For Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Bermuda Red Cross announced that “through the many fantastic efforts of individuals, companies, foundations and schools we now have $372,234 raised for the Ukraine Crisis Appeal, of which is $100,000 from The Peter Cundhill Foundation.”
A spokesperson said, “We sent $190,000 to British Red Cross on 16 March as we felt it was important to get the funds out to the International Federation who is leading the charge on the appeal. We will send these additional funds early next week.”
Ann Spencer-Arscott, Executive Director for Bermuda Red Cross says: “We are so humbled by the amazing support received from people from all walks of life in Bermuda. These are tough times for many. If you can drop coins or bills in the many buckets that have been set up around the Island, that makes a difference to someone else who has nothing.”
Maksym Dotsenko, Director General at Ukrainian Red Cross says: “Many of our staff and volunteers are also experiencing the conflict first-hand. They are worried about their families and their safety, and yet they continue to put on the Red Cross vest to deliver critical aid to neighbors and strangers alike. This is the true spirit of the principle of volunteerism upon which the Red Cross is based.”
“That spirit of wanting to help is being reflected among the general population. Since the conflict started, 6,000 new volunteers, among them teachers and medical professionals, have joined the Ukrainian Red Cross.
IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain says: “Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross have been on the ground from day one despite the risks. Many of them have suffered and lost loved ones in this conflict. As the conflict enters its second month, their ongoing support is increasingly critical as needs continue to rise and access remains heavily restricted. We stand by these men and women, offering solidarity and support. We honor their courageous work and commitment to helping others.”
“The IFRC network has established logistics pipelines from Poland, Hungary, and Romania to allow for the delivery of life-saving aid into Ukraine, supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in areas most saturated with internally displaced persons. In the past month, the Ukrainian Red Cross teams have reached more than 400,000 people in the country with more than 1,600 tons of essential goods distributed. They have supported the evacuation of over 79,000 people from Energodar, Sumy, Kyiv region, Kharkiv and Kherson region. Also, in addition to providing first aid, they are teaching people sheltering underground how to provide it themselves.
“An estimated 6.5 million people have been displaced within Ukraine, the majority of whom are women and children, people living with disabilities, older people and minority groups, the UNHCR reports. The IFRC is supporting the work of National Red Cross Societies in neighboring countries responding to the needs of the 3.5 million people who have fled Ukraine with cash grants, shelter, basic aid items, health care, psychosocial support and medical supplies. Among these groups, a special focus is on vulnerable people, including unaccompanied minors, single women with children, older people, and people living with disabilities.
Ms. Spencer-Arscott shared the following information from the ICRC: “As a humanitarian organization, our responsibility is to deliver neutral and impartial humanitarian services to people in need, wherever they are. As part of our efforts to provide support to all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, we have strengthened our response by deploying additional teams to Ukraine first and foremost. In addition, we have deployed staff to neighbouring countries, including Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Russia, to support our operations and to respond to humanitarian needs where they arise.
“Our objective is to relieve the suffering of victims of armed conflicts. As a neutral, impartial humanitarian actor, ICRC is mandated to speak with all sides of a conflict to advocate for respect of international humanitarian law, or the law of armed conflict, to protect civilian life and to ensure aid is able to reach those most in need. We need to speak to people who make and influence decisions impacting the lives of victims of armed conflict, and our ability to reach them. We conduct such humanitarian diplomacy and bilateral dialogue all over the world, in relation to every conflict where we are trying to assist and protect victims. Because of this approach, we have been able to help people suffering from the horrors of conflict wherever they may be.
“We are independent from governments and armed groups, and we provide assistance impartially, meaning we prioritize those most in need wherever they are and whichever side of the frontlines they’re on. Concretely – just last week, our role as a neutral organization in Ukraine helped to facilitate the safe passage of thousands of civilians out of the city of Sumy.
“This requires an agreement between both parties to the armed conflict, and our dialogue with them is a key element in realizing such concrete lifesaving operations. It is our neutrality and ability to discuss humanitarian issues directly with the parties that help us to go where few other organizations can access – to help alleviate suffering
“The appeal will continue to stay open, so if you have not had the opportunity to make a donation, you can still do so in the following ways:
“Donations can be made by direct deposit into the following account: Bank of N.T. Butterfield – 20 006 060 663859 200. Or go online to our website www.bermudaredcross.com to use your debit/credit card, or call us at 236-8253 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm with your card details or mail or stop in at our offices:
- Bermuda Red Cross
- Ukraine Crisis Appeal
- 9 Berry Hill Road,
- Paget DV 03
“The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation.
“The Red Cross initially responds to most international relief efforts with monetary support, and, when needed, ships items such as comfort kits, clean-up kits, medical supplies, tents, tarps and water. Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site, which avoids delays, and transportation costs in getting necessities to disaster victims.
“Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy.”
