People in Wales raised over £5m to help aid Ukraine just 24-hours after a Disasters Emergency Appeal was launched.
In what has been described as an “extraordinary outpouring of public support”, over £55m was raised by the UK in the first day after the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched their Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal on Thursday March 3.
The appeal has seen donations by members of the royal family, the public as well as UK governments.
Read more: First Minister announces £4m aid for Ukraine
Of the £55m million raised in the first day, £20 million was donated by the UK Government as part of its UK Aid Match scheme and £4m was also donated by The Welsh Government.
The DEC confirmed on Friday March 4 that in the first 24-hours after the appeal was launched, Wales had already donated £5.3m to the appeal. This figure is now likely to be higher.
The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. These include Oxfam. Save the Children and The British Red Cross among others.
The Welsh Government announced on March 1 that it was committed to providing £4m in financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine amid the turmoil of an "unprovoked and brutal act of war" by Russia.
Wales' First Minister said the money would help those in desperate need and added that Wales, as a Nation of Sanctuary, would welcome those fleeing Ukraine.
Mark Drakeford told the chamber on Tuesday afternoon: "We stand in support of the Ukrainian people who are bravely resisting this unprovoked and brutal act of war."
Mr Drakeford continued: "The Welsh Government will provide £4m in financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which will help to provide crucial support to many who are in desperate need. We are also assessing what surplus medical equipment could usefully be sent to the country.
“Wales, as a Nation of Sanctuary, stands ready to welcome people fleeing Ukraine. Tomorrow we will be holding urgent discussions with local authority leaders to ensure preparations are in place to accept refugees."
Mr Drakeford added he'd also written to the Prime Minister asking him to strengthen arrangements currently in place to allow Ukrainian citizens to escape to the UK "quickly and safely".
He said: "It is vital people can seek safe sanctuary here without bureaucracy delaying that process.
"The UK Government must honour its duty to allow people to seek safety in situations such as those we are all witnessing today with great sadness and repulsion."
The DEC appeal went live a week after Russia invaded Ukraine. Over one million people in Ukraine have already fled the country, with the charity expecting around 18 million people to become affected by the conflict.
Reacting to the response to the Ukraine crisis in Wales, Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said: "The unprovoked invasion of Ukraine continues to escalate – as does the dire humanitarian crisis, which has resulted in the displacement of almost a million people in just seven days.
"We reiterate our unequivocal solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of Putin’s aggression.
"Following our announcement at the start of the week that we would be providing £4m in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, I can confirm this will be donated to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), which represents 15 major aid charities. Allocating the funding in this way will ensure it reaches those who need it as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
On Wednesday, the Minister for Finance and Local Government and I met with the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, leaders of local authorities from across Wales and the third sector to discuss preparedness to accept people escaping the violence in Ukraine. There was a unanimous determination to offer all support possible.
There was praise for the generosity of the Welsh public, who have been eager to donate and support the people of Ukraine. However, donations of physical goods is presenting logistical difficulties both here and abroad. We urge people who want to donate – and are able to – to make a financial donation to the Disaster Emergency Committee’s appeal.
We are exploring options to ensure support can be provided here in Wales when Ukrainian citizens begin to arrive. We will provide further updates in due course. A dedicated page on our website has been set up setting out how people can help and sources of support for people directly affected by the war in Ukraine."
How to donate: Online: dec.org.uk, Phone: 0370 60 60 900
SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70150. Texts cost £10 plus the standard network charge and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer’s permission.
For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk
To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here
