The Australian Government has donated $ 2 million (US $ 1.5 million) to an alliance of 15 charities formed to provide assistance to Ukraine during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“We will provide $ 2 million to the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal (EAA) to strengthen the response of Australian NGOs and partners in the region,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Joint statement March 20th.
Charities involved in the alliance include ActionAid, Caritas, ChildFund, Oxfam, Save the Children Australia, Tearfund, Care Australia, Act For Peace and Australia for UNHCR, ADRA, Australian Lutheran World Service, Anglican Overseas Aid, Baptist World Aid, and Christian Blind. am. Mission International Australia and Plan International.
Some charities are already in Ukraine or along its borders and will respond to or respond to the need for assistance in Ukraine by providing trauma and medical care, water, food and protection to refugees.
Keren Morris, Managing Director of EAA, said: release On March 20, the alliance welcomed federal support.
“This money is used to attract matching personal donations and therefore helps to increase our influence,” Morris said.
She called on the public to donate, and the magnitude of the crisis in Ukraine is that the Australian charity alliance will use their efforts together to raise more money to help those affected. I said I requested.
“Families, including many children, are forced to leave everything they know to find safety and are in desperate need of food, water and shelter,” she said. rice field. “Our members are working hard with their local partners to get in touch with the Ukrainian people quickly as the brutal conflict upsets their lives.”
To stay safe, Ukrainians are reportedly hiding in bomb shelters and subway stations, but after the destruction of homes, hospitals and schools and the destruction of critical infrastructure, Poland, Romania and Hungary Thousands of women and children are seeking evacuation in neighboring countries of Slovakia and Moldova, and water has been lost.
Pallas Manitaman, Deputy Humanitarian Director of ActionAid International, said: release On March 1, the Russian invasion killed civilians and uprooted the lives of Ukrainians.
“Gender-based violence and exploitation have surged and blocked access to critical medical services, putting women and girls at greatest risk in times of conflict and emergencies,” Taman said. increase. “Thousands of families have already fled to neighboring countries and they must be protected.”
Mr Taman said ActionAid is in solidarity with Ukraine and all those affected by violence.
Moreover, Agency releaseThe United Nations says that 12 million Ukrainians need protection and relief in Russia’s aggression, and in the coming months, more than 4 million Ukrainians seeking evacuation from neighboring countries will need protection and assistance. Estimated.
According to EAA announcements, 3 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country and at least 1.85 million in Ukraine have been displaced from their homes to shelters and train stations by hostile troops.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has triggered the fastest-growing refugee crisis Europe has seen since World War II.
Matthew Maury, CEO of Tearfund, said the Australian Government’s donations to the EAA underscore the importance of a united front supporting Ukraine through this crisis.
“Not only are our 15 EAA charities working together to raise more money, but 12 of them are also working with their counterparts and partners in Ukraine and neighboring countries. “Morley,” said Morley.
He said the EAA was founded for such emergencies.
“EAA makes it easy for Australians to know how to help and the money goes directly to the best organization to provide that support,” Morley said.
Mat Tinkler, CEO of Save the Children Australia, said that 50% of the millions fleeing Ukraine are children in great need of help.
“Ukraine no longer has a safe place for children with airstrikes and explosions that have hit homes, schools and hospitals,” he said. “All wars are against children. Over 7.5 million children across Ukraine are at serious risk of physical harm, severe mental distress and evacuation.”
“Save the Children is ready to provide life-saving aids such as food, water, cash transfers and safe places for children as people escape conflict in sub-zero temperatures and cruel conditions. “Tinkler said. “Our team is already responding as much as possible and will continue as much as possible.”
Michael Peach, Poland’s ADRA emergency response coordinator, said he is investigating how ADRA can help children crossing the Ukrainian border. He said that cross-border children only had the clothes they wore.
“Poland continues to strengthen its system for refugees, and ADRA is currently looking for opportunities to support at least 300,000 primary school children from Ukraine to be integrated into Polish schools,” Peach said. I am. “This war can last four to six months, so it requires a lot of money and effort.”
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Lily Kelly is a reporter for The Epoch Times, based in Australia, dealing with social issues, renewable energy, the environment, health and science.