PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF Ireland sees ‘extraordinary’ response to Ukraine appeal as humanitarian response scales up
People and companies in Ireland have donated almost €2 million to UNICEF Ireland’s Ukraine appeal
UNICEF spokespeople on the ground in Ukraine available for interview
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DUBLIN, 03 March 2022 – UNICEF Ireland has said they have seen an ‘extraordinary’ response to their Ukraine appeal, with donations from people and companies in Ireland reaching almost €2 million.
The emergency appeal to assist Ukraine’s 7.5 million children was launched on Thursday, February 24th, and UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power said they have been overwhelmed by the support. “Ever since we launched our appeal to help children and families in Ukraine we have seen an extraordinary response. People and companies from across Ireland have shown incredible solidarity with people in Ukraine and in just a few days, have donated almost two million euros towards UNICEF’s work with children, both in Ukraine and on the borders of neighbouring countries. It has been remarkable to witness this kind of generosity and we are so grateful”.
The UN estimates that one million people, many of them children, have fled Ukraine in just seven days and UNICEF fears this could develop into Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century. While many children have also been left profoundly traumatised by the violence all around them. According to UNICEF Ireland, intense efforts are being made to urgently scale up their response.
“Our teams are working day and night. We have been in Ukraine for many years and across the country, we are seeing children who are terrified, in shock, and desperate for safety. At times like this, every hour matters and we deeply appreciate the support we are receiving from everyone in Ireland right now. It means UNICEF can ship safe water to conflict-affected areas and send out mobile teams to protect children and their families,” said Mr. Power.
UNICEF has also begun rolling out ‘Blue Dot’ one-stop safe spaces for children and families who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Belarus. These provide crucial support to families on the move and are set up along routes of major population flows – often in conjunction with local municipalities. “These ‘Blue Dots’ are so important to children and families. These children are going through the most horrific and traumatising experience and we need to be there to support them. UNICEF’s ‘Blue Dot’ centres provide key information to traveling families, safe spaces for mothers and children, and give UNICEF the ability to identify unaccompanied and separated children and ensure their protection. All of this is thanks to the support of our donors in Ireland and across the world,” said Mr. Power.
More information on UNICEF’s emergency Ukraine appeal can be found at www.unicef.ie
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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.ie
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For more information, please contact:
Danny Smits, UNICEF Ireland, +353 87 1308070, danny@unicef.ie
