Australian Red Cross launches appeal as Ukraine crisis worsens

Australian Red Cross is raising funds to deliver humanitarian aid to people affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

Funds raised will go towards:

• Humanitarian activities delivered by Red Cross and Red Crescent partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, including to people who are displaced;
• Emergency relief assistance including shelter, health, water and sanitation and providing basic aid items;
• Longer term recovery support to affected communities as needs arise;
• Specialist aid workers to assist local teams to respond to the crisis;
• Helping people restore contact with family members separated by the crisis by offering services to maintain family links and locate missing family members;

The Director of International and Movement Relations at Australian Red Cross, Alex Mathieson said the situation across the country is distressing.

“Communities have endured eight years of conflict. With this latest escalation, families are facing more violence, pain and loss. Humanitarian needs are already high, and we know they will only increase,” he said.

The recent escalation in violence has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Tens of thousands have crossed over into neighbouring countries in search of safety, according to United Nations’ data.

“Red Cross National Societies in neighbouring countries are helping those who have been displaced. Red Cross teams have been working hard to provide shelter, basic aid items and medical supplies. Volunteers and staff are also ready to provide first aid and psychosocial support when needed,” said Mr Mathieson.

The ongoing violence, bomb attacks and shelling are limiting the humanitarian response and are threatening to bring to a halt key essential services.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing tens of thousands of litres of clean drinking water to communities where intensified fighting has damaged water stations and pipelines, and Ukrainian Red Cross are providing first-aid where medical care is limited and psychosocial support to those experiencing trauma. 

“The ICRC has been working with our Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, including the Ukrainian Red Cross since 2014, and has witnessed the impacts of conflict. Right now, ICRC teams are in place across Ukraine and working hard to respond to needs as the security situations allows.

Our priority is to assist people in need, and we are always grateful for the support we receive from our donors, which ensures we can continue doing this,” said David Tuck, the ICRC’s Head of Mission, Australia.

Donations can be made online at redcross.org.au/ukraine or via credit card by phoning 1800 REDCROSS, 9am to 5pm AEDT.