The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) today (Thurs 3 March) launched an appeal to raise urgent funds to help those forced to flee their homes amid escalating conflict. More than 750,000 people have fled Ukraine in the last week and many more have been displaced inside the country due to intense fighting.
Inside Ukraine homes have been destroyed, essential infrastructure such as water supplies, hospitals and schools have been hit. People are being forced to hide in shelters and metro stations to stay safe.
As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are crossing borders into Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, triggering a large-scale humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that 4 million people could flee the country due to the conflict. The majority crossing the borders are women and children arriving with only what they can carry.
DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border in the neighbouring countries, working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care.
The DEC brings together 15 leading aid charities at times of crisis overseas. Thirteen of these are responding in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries who have taken in refugees. DEC charities responding include British Red Cross, ActionAid and Save the Children.
Appeals to raise funds to support this work will be broadcast on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky today (3 March) following the evening news.
Every pound donated by the UK public will be matched by the UK government through its Aid Match scheme up to the value of £20 million. This support will double the impact of the public’s own donations and will ensure that charities working on the ground can reach those in urgent need.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “I could never have envisaged launching a humanitarian appeal in Europe in 2022. But tragically, that’s exactly where we find ourselves.
“Our members are working tirelessly with local partners to reach people in Ukraine swiftly as the brutal conflict turns lives upside down. Families, including many children, have been forced to leave everything they know behind to find safety and desperately need food, water and shelter. The DEC exists to mobilise the British public’s generosity and goodwill at times of crisis overseas, and this is one of those moments.”
Boris Johnson announced the UK Aid Match in PMQs in the House of Commons. He said: “Time and time again the British people have proved responsive and generous when confronted with a global emergency, and so I have no doubt that millions will support this vital appeal.
“That is also why the UK Government will match every pound donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee by the British public, ensuring vital supplies and support reaches those left homeless, displaced and distraught by this war.”
Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss said “The UK stands with people fleeing this terrible conflict and we are working with our humanitarian partners to provide for those in need in Ukraine and the wider region in their hour of need.
“Through the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, we will match, pound for pound, up to £20 million of donations from the Great British public, ensuring vital support reaches communities in desperate need of help.”
Stay up to date with developments in Ukraine, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on Twitter or on Facebook.
