As the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, Australians are being asked to recommit their support to a new range of initiatives to help Ukrainian men, women, and children.
Shelter Stefan Romaniw, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, said more than $8 million has been given to Ukraine Crisis Appeal alone, which has successfully provided shelter, food, medical assistance, and rehabilitation to thousands of Ukrainians.
Mr Romaniw recently visited Ukraine and saw firsthand the effect that Australian aid is having at rehabilitation centres and relief shelters across the country.
“Regular visits to Ukraine are critical to keep our finger on the pulse and see what day-to day life is like for those trying to survive the Russian invasion,” he said.
“What comes across is the strength and determination people have to rebuild their lives – mentally at first and then in a material sense.”
Mr Romaniw visited the town of Irpin near Kyiv, which suffered extensive physical damage and the loss of hundreds of civilian lives in the days immediately following the Russian invasion on 24 February last year.
Temporary shelter and aid have kept thousands of Irpin’s estimated 65,000 residents warm and dry during the Christmas period. In total, donations to Ukraine Crisis Appeal have resulted in 19 shelters across Ukraine accommodating more than 9,000 people recently made homeless.
Mr Romaniw stressed the importance that Australian aid has had in saving lives.
“Ukrainians are facing a humanitarian disaster, as millions have either fled the country or desperately seek shelter,” he says.
“Thankfully the international community has rallied to provide support to these vulnerable women and children, whose lives were turned upside down in an instant – and no one has dug deeper than Aussies!”
The Australian Government is matching the public’s ongoing generosity through a range of
humanitarian and military initiatives. More than 90 Bushmaster armoured vehicles were
commissioned to transport Ukrainian troops and civilians, while Australia has sent its first contingent of army personnel to train Ukrainian soldiers in combat strategies in the United Kingdom.
Russia’s invasion has caused Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War, with an estimated 8 million people being forced to flee their homes.
Help Ukraine now: donate to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (tax deductible and run in partnership with Rotary Australia) and save lives.