Kits, cash, collective centres: Concern’s response within Ukraine
Concern is focusing its efforts on those who remain inside Ukraine - here's what we're doing to help.
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Ireland for Ukraine: Concern takes part in ambitious media fundraiser
In just under six weeks, over 7 million people have been displaced inside Ukraine due to conflict, with a further 4 million forced to flee the country. It has become clear that this is an emergency that is not going to end quickly, and Ukraine will continue to need our help.
Concern Worldwide has been using your donations given to our Ukraine crisis appeal to assist those who remain inside Ukraine, where we have determined the need is greatest. We are delighted that we will now be able to help even more, as we have partnered with Ireland for Ukraine.
What is Ireland for Ukraine?
A coalition of Irish media outlets have come together for a joint fundraiser, Ireland for Ukraine, to raise funds and deliver them where they can have the biggest impact.
You may have seen the campaign ads, voiced by “Derry Girls” star Siobhan McSweeney, on television channels, on websites and in newspapers including:
RTÉ, Virgin Media Television, TG4, SKY Ireland, The Journal, The Currency, DMG Media (Irish Daily Mail), Radiocentre, IBI, Mediahuis (Irish Independent), The Anglo-Celt, The Meath Chronicle, The Connaught Telegraph, The Westmeath Independent, The Westmeath Examiner, The Connacht Tribune and City Tribune, The Donegal News, The Tuam Herald, The Clare Champion, The Northern Standard, The Southern Star, The Munster Express, The Nenagh Guardian, and The Mayo News.
The Irish public are renowned for their generosity in times of crisis, from helping domestic charities to responding to global conflict, and this campaign will ensure that all generous donations will be put to work. All funds donated to Ireland for Ukraine will be put into an account managed by the Community Foundation for Ireland, who will then distribute the fund to a coalition of charities.
Evacuations from Irpin, north of Kyiv. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Evacuations from Irpin, north of Kyiv. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Igor Mojavey, 54, lost his wife and 12-year-old, wheelchair-bound daughter to an airstrike in a village outside Kyiv. He sorts through the rubble, trying to retrieve whatever he can with the help of neighbours. His dog Gerda and cat Mishka survived the attack. But Igor has nothing else left. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Where will the money go?
Concern is one of four charity partners on the ground in Ukraine who will be allocated money from 50% of the donations received. We will be able to use the money allocated to us to continue our work in meeting the needs of Ukrainians affected by the ongoing conflict.
The other 50% of the funds will go to charities and community groups in Ireland who are supporting Ukrainians who have come here for refuge.
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation for Ireland, said: “A European humanitarian crisis is unfolding which requires a response both on the ground and in our own communities. ‘Ireland for Ukraine’ delivers that response. The funds raised through the generosity of viewers, readers and listeners will be used to support those trapped in the war zone and the growing numbers seeking shelter here. There are many challenges ahead. The protection needed for children travelling alone, assisting refugees with disabilities, measures to combat human trafficking and so much more. It may at first seem overwhelming but with the continuing generosity of the Irish people these are challenges which can and will be met.”
The Irish government has already pledged €5 million to the fund, with Concern being the beneficiary of €625,000 of this donation.
I want to congratulate the national and local media outlets who have worked and cooperated for the first time to enhance the incredible public goodwill and generosity of the Irish public on their determination to aid and assist the people of Ukraine. I am pleased to confirm that the government will allocate €5m to the campaign and fund, Ireland for Ukraine. This will help start its focused charity work for the people of Ukraine at home and abroad. I wish you all the best on your great work.
Donations can be made on the Ireland for Ukraine website, with 100% of donations going towards Concern and other charities on the ground, and Irish organisations helping Ukrainian refugees.
Concern has also been invited by the Community Foundation for Ireland to be part of the IRELAND for UKRAINE fundraising campaign, which will run across 16 Irish media organisations.
Concern's work in Ukraine
After carrying out assessments on the Ukrainian border, Concern determined that the need is greatest within Ukraine, and have been working with our Alliance2015 partners ACTED and People in Need to reach those in need.
A12-month intervention led by these organisations began on 15th March, and Concern has committed €2 million to this joint intervention. €1.5 million of this funding comes from the first allocation of our Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) funding. (Concern is one of 15 member charities of the DEC; the DEC Ukraine appeal has already raised in excess of £200 million.)
The intervention consists of three main activities, which will help Ukrainians who remain in Ukraine with rent, food, hygiene and psychosocial support.
Kits
Concern and our Alliance2015 partners aim to provide:
- 8,000 NFI (non-food item) kits, including bed linens, pillows, blankets, cutlery, tableware, a kitchen knife, a cooking pot and a teapot.
- 5,000 household and institutional hygiene kits, including soap, washing powder, toilet brushes, rubber gloves, paper towels and hand sanitiser.
- 200 baby hygiene kits, including nappies, soap bars, baby wipes, baby powder and moisture cream.
We are also establishing smaller satellite warehouses to complement established warehouses in Rzeszow in Poland, and Lviv and Chernivtsi in Ukraine, to deliver aid directly to areas affected by the conflict.
Cash
Collective centres
Food, water, and hygiene items for people in eastern Ukraine. Photo: Alyona Budagovska/People In Need
We also currently have teams in Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi, not far from Lviv in western Ukraine, where we intend to focus on giving support to collective centres, and to then establish cash transfer and NFI distribution programmes.
In addition to our involvement with Ireland for Ukraine, Concern’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal is ongoing – you can donate here.
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