Guernsey pledges support of £500,000 to people of Ukraine – how you can donate [latest]

This is one of the largest single donations the Government of Guernsey has made in its recent history reflecting the strength of local feeling and solidarity for Ukraine and its people who are having their sovereignty and safety threatened by Russia waging an unjust war in their country.

This commitment will be separate and in addition to any other donations which may be made from other public or private bodies.

The donation of £500,000 will be split equally between two organisations, the British Red Cross and UK for UNHCR. Both organisations will receive £250,000.

Red Cross teams are working both within Ukraine and in neighbouring countries providing essential aid to people impacted by the conflict. Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers are providing first aid, warm clothes, and support in shelters and metro stations. Red Cross teams in bordering countries are providing psycho-social support, hot food and drinks, and helping families to stay connected, and will be providing cash assistance, so that families can purchase what they need locally.

UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) partner charity, supporting refugees. UNHCR is registering internally displaced people in Ukraine and those who cross borders into neighbouring countries. It is running transit centres, providing safe spaces to rest, distributing emergency supply kits, providing small cash grants to families, and providing shelter materials to reinforce damaged houses.

Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Policy & Resources Committee said: “There are many organisations working very hard to provide humanitarian support to the people affected by the crisis in Ukraine and clearly the need is enormous. There are many that would put this donation to good use, but there’s no doubt that by donating to the two we have chosen it will be put to where it is needed on the ground.”

Further work has also been undertaken over the last week to ensure the Guernsey Bailiwick does all it can to support the response by the UK Government, including making various Regulations to impose additional sanction measures on named Russians and interests; through financial sanctions, export restriction and a ban on access to the airspace and ports.

In addition, the Policy & Resources Committee has been considering any additional measures which can be taken, an example of which was set out earlier today by Deputy Helyar who announced the States of Guernsey had instructed the newly formed States Investment Board to begin divesting from any holdings linked to Russia.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reports that 1 million people to date have fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and this is the swiftest exodus of refugees this century. At Ukraine’s borders with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, huge numbers of people are arriving with only what they can carry. In many places there are long waits to cross and scant facilities waiting for them on the other side, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight. International charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care. Financial support for these efforts are particularly vital

How you can donate

By bank transfer:

Sort Code: 60-09-20 (Bank: NatWest Bank, Guernsey)
Account Number: 74070487

In person at the bank counter:

Any branch of NatWest in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for the account of Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Ukraine Appeal, number 74070487

By post:

Cheques may be made payable to Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Ukraine Appeal and sent to The Bailiff’s Chambers, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, GY1 2NZ

Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Deputy Chief Minister, said: “It is heart-breaking to watch what the people of Ukraine are going through. But it is inspiring also to see how the country has united to resist the invasion and to defend
their freedom. Our community still remembers the horrors of war and it reminds us of the importance of free, democratic societies standing together to oppose tyranny wherever possible.

“We will continue to watch the situation in Ukraine closely, but my message to the Ukrainian people is that we in Guernsey are with you.”