Published: 04 July 2023
Last year, we awarded a total of £150,000 towards the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, supporting those affected by the ongoing conflict. Since February 2022, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been delivering humanitarian aid, reaching over 16.9 million people with vital support. Our funding has helped to empower this international relief effort and supported the British Red Cross to make a difference.
Following the disruption of key supplies such as electricity, water, and food production, the Red Cross have improved access to safe and clean drinking water for over 10.3 million people. Our funding has also helped to provide 6.8 million people with emergency food and 3.5 million people with toiletries for self-care and health protection. Furthermore, over one million people have been reached with cash and voucher assistance.
British Red Cross offers aid in a way that works best for people to meet their most essential needs. For instance, paying rent for new accommodation; buying winter clothes for their children; or paying for transport to get them somewhere safe.
For those who can - and wish to - remain in their own homes, teams on the ground have provided the tools and materials to enable people to carry out repairs. They have also provided temporary accommodation to give people safety and shelter amidst the chaos. The Red Cross has set up 491 humanitarian service points, where displaced people can access practical support, such as cash or voucher assistance.
This humanitarian aid also encompasses mental and physical wellbeing support; the Red Cross are sending mobile health units to even remote areas to ensure that people get the medicine and care they need for existing and new health conditions. Overall, over one million people have received mental health and psychosocial support services and 914,000 people have been supported with their physical health.
The British Red Cross’ response to the crisis has grown to assist Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK, and they have distributed over £2.9 million in cash assistance to help people get back on their feet.
So far, 2,700 people have been helped by their Refugee Services teams, who wish to ensure long-term support for the thousands of Ukrainians in the UK, addressing the impact of the rising Cost of Living on hosts and arrivals.
Looking Forward, the British Red Cross is creating a three-year strategy focused on the most pressing priorities across the region until 2026 - aiming to deliver critical healthcare, cash and voucher assistance, and support to vulnerable people in need of humanitarian aid.
To find out more about the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, click here.
*Header image - “Dr Iryna and nurse Ulyna, help local people/patients by visiting their homes in Cherepyn village, Lviv region. The Red Cross is helping doctors and nurses reach hard-to-reach communities in Ukraine through mobile health units.”
Credit: Alina Smutko / British Red Cross
