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STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON TUESDAY 2nd MARCH 2022
Like all Islanders, I have been appalled at the cruelty and violence inflicted on the innocent people of Ukraine by the Russian invasion.
Almost a million people have now fled their homes, and at least 660,000 have crossed the borders into Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova. The intensifying military assault has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, and sadly many more are likely when the Russian attack becomes more brutal in response to Ukrainian resistance.
We can also expect even more severe destruction to civilian infrastructure and housing. Public service provision such as water, electricity, heating and health is already severely curtailed, and supply chains are likely to be disrupted for a prolonged period of time. At least another three million people are likely to become refugees, and the UN estimates that 12 million inside Ukraine will need assistance in the next three months.
In short, this is an extremely grave humanitarian crisis already, and is likely to deteriorate further. Yesterday (1st March) the UN launched two emergency appeals, requesting US$1.1 billion to assist the neediest six million people inside Ukraine for an initial three months, and a further US$550 million to help refugees.
As Jersey's Minister for International Development it is my responsibility to ensure that the Island provides effective humanitarian assistance to those who need it most, just as others did for us in 1945. We may be small, but even a few pounds can save a life. And furthermore, we can send a signal to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine that yet another country stands with them.
To this end, I am delighted to announce that as of late last night JOA Commissioners have agreed to make initial grants worth £360,000 to be split equally among three organisations: The Red Cross, UNHCR (the UN's refugee agency), and OCHA (The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). Between them they will provide essential services to the hundreds of thousands who have already sought shelter in neighbouring countries and the millions still facing terrible hardship in Ukraine. Let me share some more details:
• UNHCR (£120,000)
UNHCR estimates that up to 4 million refugees may flee Ukraine. UNHCR coordinates the implementation of the inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan, one of the two plans launched yesterday, to support governments in their response to a refugee influx through the provision of core relief items. These include shelter, emergency relief items, cash assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, and helping people with specific needs, such as unaccompanied children.
• Red Cross (£120,000)
Both the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have launched emergency appeals for their operations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. ICRC's response is targeting the support of health facilities, the provision of medical equipment and food, as well as reuniting separated families. The IFRC will focus on assisting an initial two million people in need with a special focus on vulnerable people, including unaccompanied minors, single women with children, elderly, and people with disabilities. Funds will increase the capacity of Red Cross teams in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
• OCHA (£120,000)
The Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF) was established in February 2019 to help meet the most critical needs of the conflict-affected population in eastern Ukraine. This is one of the worst-affected areas in the current conflict, and has now suffered eight years of war. Like other Country Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs), the UHF allows donors to pool their contributions to enable humanitarian partners such as local relief agencies to access funds rapidly deliver timely and coordinated assistance. It will now be greatly scaled up, with others joining us to support it.
I am also delighted that The Bailiff has established a dedicated Ukraine Appeal, which will enable individuals and businesses to donate funds for Ukraine. The Government of Jersey is currently considering whether to add additional funds to this appeal on a matched funding basis. However much is raised, Jersey Overseas Aid will ensure this money reaches the right agencies and the right people.