So proud of our island and our nation for the response to Ukraine devastation
OVER the last week, I have been so proud of Ynys Môn and its people for our response to the devastation unfolding in Ukraine. My office has been inundated with calls from people wanting to help, to donate, to understand what role we can play to assist those whose lives are currently in turmoil and fear.
The official advice currently is to donate financially where possible so that aid can reach those in need as soon as possible.
The news earlier this week that Wales, through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC Cymru) has raised a huge £6.5m since the appeal was launched on 3 March is nothing short of incredible, demonstrating once again our compassion as a nation.
If you would like to donate, you can do so by visiting DEC CYMRU’S website.
There are donation centres set up across the island in our communities too, including the Twrcelyn Thrift Shop and the donation centre set up this week at Kingsland Community Centre, Holyhead to name a few. Details can be found on my Facebook page.
I am grateful to everyone who wants to play their part in our response by donating, with over a million people now having fled from their homes in Ukraine, they will need our support in coming weeks, months, years.
With over a hundred people coming together to stand in solidarity at Llangefni square last Thursday evening, we had the opportunity to reflect and to demonstrate that our thoughts are with all of those affected, and I am thankful for every donation made on the night, which amounted to nearly £600 towards the Red Cross.
We will continue to show our support, and Cllr Llinos Medi’s speech on our willingness to accept refugees on the island was appreciated unequivocally.
In the Senedd this week, we celebrate International Women’s Day and I am pleased to be contributing to the debate on Tuesday – a day to celebrate women, and the steps we have made in terms of equality, but also to recognise that there is much more to be done.
I responded to Welsh Government’s three week Covid review last Friday – they are now setting out where testing and self-isolating will still be needed and supported over coming months, which is welcome, but we now need to know exactly who will be identified as being in the vulnerable groups, and of course we have to know that testing will remain free.
One thing we certainly know is the need to build resilience into plans for the future of our health and care services.
Getting the NHS back on track isn’t just about waiting for Covid to go, and in fact it’ll be with us for some time yet.
While Covid has certainly exacerbated problems, deep-rooted issues existed long before the pandemic.
Consequently, the gradual move from pandemic to endemic must be accompanied by a plan which includes long term solutions to overcome long standing problems.
We recently reached the devastating milestone of 7,000 covid deaths in Wales, a reminder that it’s more important than ever to fully understand what happened in Wales. The case for a Wales-specific inquiry remains strong – after all, health is a devolved matter, and decisions taken in Wales should be scrutinised in Wales. Given that our appeals to the Labour Welsh Government for a Wales-specific inquiry fell on deaf ears, we absolutely have to make sure the Welsh voice has a chance of being heard distinctly within the Uk-wide Inquiry.
Having the Welsh perspective captured will give some reassurance to the loved ones of those lost 7,000. I’m only sorry that the Health Minister was unable to support my calls last week to ensure that the Welsh voice is heard distinctly within the Uk-wide inquiry.
Fel bob amser, cysylltwch gyda fy swyddfa unrhyw dro os angen cymorth, neu i drafod unrhyw fater. As always, please do feel free to contact my office if you need help or support, or to discuss any issue: 01248 723 599 / rhun.apiorwerth@ senedd.cymru