Wiltshire-based charity People against Poverty is calling on local businesses and individuals to provide emergency funding to help with the relocation of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of their country.
The organisation, which works both internationally and in the UK to alleviate poverty and suffering, is aiming to raise £20,000 within the next seven days to safely place families forced out of Ukraine by Russia’s attack.
The charity’s Way of Joy project in Romania is looking to put provisions in place to initially support up to 30 mothers and children from Ukraine into the church building and then take these displaced families into their own homes, providing a sense of security during highly uncertain times.
The appeal comes after Dr Raul Chirica, one of the charity’s project leaders in Romania, has reported being overwhelmed after visiting the borders, 300km away, to see first-hand the level of help that is needed, right now, to support arriving Ukrainians.
Val Huxley, CEO of People against Poverty, explains: “What’s taking place in Ukraine at this very moment is such a desperate situation. With so many families being split up in the face of this war, it’s very easy for us in the UK watching on to feel hopeless and unable to help on a practical level when seeing the scenes that are playing out on the news at present.
“Our Way of Joy project is urgently seeking emergency funds to provide holistic, long-term care and support to Ukrainian families in need of shelter and a home during this conflict. All funds generated in the UK will be dispatched immediately to our Romania project leaders, to facilitate the purchase of essentials such as mattresses, blankets, towels, toilets and food - everything that is needed to keep these mothers and their children safe.”
Funds generated by the appeal will also enable the project team in Romania to provide safe passage from the Ukrainian border, foster links with Ukrainian churches to identity families in need of safe shelter, provide three meals a day and offer educational provision and activities for the children, as well as counselling for the displaced mothers.
The charity’s emergency appeal has raised £5,000 in its first 24 hours, through online donations to the charity and via a Quiz & Curry fundraising evening, held at Corsham’s Moonlight Indian Restaurant.
“We need to act and we need to act now,” adds Val. “Every penny raised by this appeal will go directly to our project so that our team in Romania can begin the arduous task of helping these families in this time of dire need.”
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate online directly to the appeal via People against Poverty’s website.