A woman carries an infant as they cross the border into Poland from Ukraine
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Dear Londoners,
We are facing the fastest-growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. I appreciate that it is easy to feel numb and helpless at a time like this. While nothing that we do will be wholly sufficient, we must do our bit.
It is impossible to ignore the devastating images and stories of those refugees fleeing President Putin’s bloody war in Ukraine, which must end.
The majority of those fleeing the fighting are women and children, the elderly and the vulnerable, the dispossessed and the helpless.
They are arriving at whatever border is easiest for them to reach with only what they can physically carry. This means they lack the most basic necessities. They are wholly reliant on the kindness of strangers to provide them with food, shelter, blankets, hygiene packs and other essentials. Being able to get hold of these items is far from guaranteed.
It’s the kindness of people like you that makes the difference to the plights these people face. Three weeks ago the Evening Standard and the Independent, our sister paper, launched a joint appeal for donations to support the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal. Already, the outpouring of generosity by Londoners has been humbling to witness.
Your contribution means these people now have access to the basic necessities we all take for granted. But we cannot be complacent because this humanitarian crisis is only just beginning and we must help those fleeing this invasion rebuild their lives.
So, London, I urge you to act in the generous spirit of this city and continue to donate. Now is not the time to hold back. Let’s together show that London stands with the Ukrainian people.
Evgeny Lebedev
Evening Standard Proprietor
To donate go to: gofundme.com/f/eveningstandardukraineappeal
