Donors raise $6.5b at Warsaw conference
As the war drags on, the humanitarian aid in Ukraine has grown even more acute
War-ravaged Ukraine received pledges for $6.5 billion more in humanitarian aid yesterday at an international donor’s conference in Warsaw that sought to get Ukrainians urgent help while still planning for the country’s post-war reconstruction.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, a co-host of the conference, announced that $6.5 billion was raised in donations, eliciting applause from leaders and other officials attending the one-day meeting, including representatives from the United Nations and companies such as Google.
The pledges came from countries and businesses, many of whom attended the conference at Warsaw’s National Stadium in person and others who made their pledges remotely. His co-host, Sweden’s PM Magdalena Andersson, said the sum exceeded their expectations.
Much of the world has responded to the war in Ukraine with an outpouring of humanitarian support. But as the war drags on, the humanitarian needs in Ukraine have grown even more acute. In addition to thousands of killed in the war millions of people have been displaced.
Morawiecki said Ukraine needs over 12,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid every day, but that only 3,000 tonnes are getting through. He said the conference shows that the world is not indifferent to Russia’s “genocidal war”.
Andersson said the aim was to help Ukraine both now and later. “Ukraine will win this war and we will stand by your side,” she said.
European Council President Charles Michel said he hoped the conference could be a starting point for a ‘Marshall Plan’ for Ukraine, referring to a US-sponsored plan that helped revive European economies after Second World War.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the conference by video, echoed Michel in saying that funds for Ukraine mirror the Marshall Plan and repeated the hope that Ukraine could join the European Union. He said funding that Ukraine is receiving would be an investment in security for the entire region.
Google pledges aid
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “hundreds of billions of euros and reforms” are needed to build Ukraine anew and pave its way into the EU.
Ukrainian Prime Ministe said he was grateful for the “crucial help” that’s coming at a time when “the fate of our state is being decided.”
He described his government’s post-war plans to “build back better” with technologically modern urban areas and energy efficient buildings.
Google and Covid-19 vaccine maker AstraZeneca joined the nations in pledging aid.