In the “Stand Up For Ukraine” campaign, 9.1 billion euros have been pledged, and the EU Commission is providing a further billion together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Saturday in Warsaw.
As a sign of solidarity, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) also took part in “Stand up for Ukraine” with a video message. In his speech, the Foreign Minister will refer to Austria’s promised support of almost 40 million euros. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna, this sum should be increased significantly. It is currently being worked on, it said. The funds from the donor conference are to go to United Nations programs and local aid initiatives, among others.
“Our courage must be shared”
According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany is providing an additional 425 million euros in humanitarian and development aid for Ukraine and its neighboring countries. In addition, there would be 70 million euros in medical support. “Germany stands by Ukraine.”
“Our courage must be shared by everyone in the world,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video message. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was on the call, noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war has triggered a humanitarian crisis that is getting worse and worse.
Pop greats called for donations
The donor conference was convened by the non-governmental organization Global Citizen, the EU Commission and the Canadian government. The funds are to go to projects run by the United Nations and local aid organizations. The conference was preceded by a social media campaign involving musicians, actors and athletes. The motto was “Stand Up for Ukraine”. Pop stars from Elton John to U2 to Céline Dion called for donations.
Since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, more than two and a half million Ukrainians have already crossed the border into Poland. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, around 4.4 million people have already left Ukraine. Before the start of the Russian war of aggression, 44 million people lived in the country.
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Source: Nachrichten
