Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) EU bodies have pledged to provide more aid to Ukraine at the Stand Up for Ukraine global fundraiser.
The European Commission pledged to provide one billion euro and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced plans to provide as much in the form of loans.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that “solidarity of countries, companies and people worldwide offers some light in this dark hour,” adding that the fundraising campaign has raised some 9.1 billion euro.
“We will continue providing support,” she stressed and added “once the bombs have stopped falling, we will help the people of Ukraine rebuild their country… we will continue to stand up for Ukraine.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that Canada continues to support Ukraine. “We will continue to have your backs and provide the assistance you need at this time,” he stated.
Of the pledges, 1.8 billion euro is to go towards internally displaced Ukrainians and 8.3 billion to Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries and EU member states.
The EC pointed out that 4.1 billion euro will be provided in the form of financial aid and in-kind donations, stressing that this will be provided by companies, governments and individuals.
Roughly 5 billion euro will come in the form of loans and grants from EU institutions – the Council of Europe Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.
The body stressed that government pledges for internally displaced Ukrainians will be provided through Ukrainian authorities, while donations from individuals and companies will be channelled largely through the UN.
The EC pointed out in a statement that it organised the Stand Up for Ukraine event in cooperation with the Canadian government and the Global Citizen international organisation.
The campaign was launched in response to Ukraine’s call for support and is aimed at raising money and other forms of support for Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people.
The Commission noted that more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the EU since the start of the war and concluded that the aid will help host countries to provide refugees with necessities, education and employment.
