Friday 04 March 2022
The Overseas Aid & Development Commission fully supports the Policy & Resources Committee's recent decision, on behalf of the States of Guernsey, to make an immediate commitment of £500,000 to support the people of Ukraine.
It is also delighted that the Bailiff has opened his Disaster Relief Fund to allow public donations to be made. The Commission urges the population to support this initiative. Donations can be made -
- By bank transfer:
Bank: NatWest Bank, Guernsey
Sort Code: 60-09-20
Account Number: 74070487 - In person at the bank counter:
Any branch of NatWest in the Bailiwick for the account of
Bailiff's Disaster Relief Fund Ukraine Appeal, number 74070487 - By post:
Cheques may be made payable to Bailiff's Disaster Relief Fund Ukraine Appeal and sent to The Bailiff's Chambers, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, GY1 2NZ
The Commission, alongside the Government and people of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reports that 1 million people to date have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion and this is the swiftest exodus of refugees this century. At Ukraine's borders with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, huge numbers of people are arriving with only what they can carry. In many places there are long waits to cross and scant facilities waiting for them on the other side, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight. International charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care. Financial support for these efforts are particularly vital.
Deputy Chris Blin, the President of the Overseas Aid & Development Commission, said:
"It is desperately tragic what is unfolding in Ukraine and on its borders. As a States of Guernsey body, the Commission would like to commend the Policy & Resources Committee's donation and thank the Bailiff for opening a public appeal. I would also like to add a personal thank you to all those in the Islands who have taken the initiative to launch community projects to support Ukraine.
The Commission is especially grateful for both the financial and practical aid as it allows it to continue to target its limited resources and budget on helping the poorest of the poor in the developing world. In general, the Commission supports projects and provides Disaster and Emergency Relief Awards to people living in countries in the lowest quartile of the United Nations' Human Development Index. This is its core work and remains vitally important. For example in 2021, the Commission made emergency aid donations for basic needs, including food and medical supplies, to the people of Yemen, Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sudan and Malawi, including refugees. These people had been affected by conflict, hunger, floods, earthquake, or fire. The charities supported included the British Red Cross, UNICEF Plan International and Guernsey based charity Hope for a Child.
The people of Ukraine are facing a terrible catastrophe, but it is also important to not forget others in the World who are also living under very harsh conditions."
