Irish Red Cross raises more than €800,000 for Ukraine

More than €800,000 has been donated by the Irish public towards a humanitarian appeal for the crisis in Ukraine in just over a day.

The Irish Red Cross said €800,000 has been raised to date, and they hope to reach €1 million by early next week.

The donations have come through the organisation’s website and Revolut, with all funds going directly to Red Cross partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to assist them in their humanitarian efforts, repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities, reconnect families and provide food and hygiene items.

Liam O’Dwyer, Irish Red Cross secretary general, said the organisation was “humbled at the huge generosity shown by the Irish people and we are so thankful for their support”.

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"The humanitarian needs over the coming days and weeks in Ukraine will be massive and we are appealing for more donations," he said. "Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting our website redcross.ie or via Revolut. Our immediate priority is to support the delivery of shelter, food, medical care and other basic necessities to vulnerable families in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries.

“The escalation in fighting brings further upheaval, loss and fear to people’s daily lives, including threatening to bring a halt to key essential services. We are extremely concerned about the impact that the conflict will have on people with the latest intensification uprooting hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.”

National Red Cross Societies in neighbouring countries have been responding to the unfolding crisis with hundreds of thousands of people having left their homes in Ukraine. The Slovakian Red Cross is setting up tents to provide temporary shelter for people arriving from the Ukraine at the border crossing point in Ubla. In Poland, the Red Cross is providing bedding, shelter, medical assistance, and basic aid items at several reception points along the border. Meanwhile, the Hungarian Red Cross has 300 volunteers ready to provide shelter, bedding and hygiene items.