Brussels, Belgium
Reuters
Donors including the Canadian Government and the European Commission on Saturday pledged a €9.1 billion in donations, loans and grants to support refugees fleeing the war following Russia’s invasion.
The fundraising event in Warsaw, Poland, €1.8 billion to support internally displaced people inside Ukraine, and €7.3 billion for refugees who have fled the country to neighbouring states.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives to take part in a global event titled ‘Stand Up For Ukraine’ at the Palace on the Isle in Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw, Poland, on 9th April. PICTURE: Reuters/Kacper Pempel.
Governments, companies and individuals together pledged €4.1 billion in donations, which will be distributed largely via the Ukrainian authorities or the United Nations.
The remaining €5 billion were loans and grants from EU financial institutions – including €4 billion program to help provide housing, education and healthcare for refugees arriving in EU countries.
“We stand by your side, be it now in the times of war, be it with the refugees, but most importantly after this war has been won by Ukraine, for the time for reconstruction and rebuilding the country,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who visited Kyiv on Friday and co-hosted the event with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
More than 4 million people have now fled Ukraine to seek shelter in EU countries, while 6.5 million people have fled their homes but remain inside Ukraine, the European Commisison said.
