WAR IN UKRAINE
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacking cities in the country’s north, east, and south. Millions of people were forced to flee from their homes, seeking safety in western Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and thousands of civilians have been killed. The Russian invasion has caused an enormous humanitarian crisis and swept a massive wave of refugees across Europe. The war has also disrupted Ukrainian grain exports to the Middle East and Africa.
Immediately after the invasion, we began providing humanitarian aid throughout Ukraine and helping refugees who were arriving in the Czech Republic by the tens of thousands. During that time, we have provided assistance to more than 600,000 people worth more than one billion crowns.
Summary: What does our aid to Ukraine look like?
We continue to operate in the west and east of Ukraine, where we provide humanitarian, financial and psychological assistance, and where more than 290 members of our team are currently working. We are also providing assistance in newly liberated areas and towns, such as Kherson and Lyman. Across the country, we continue to repair houses, water systems and makeshift power supplies. Water systems, which are often closely linked to heating systems, also need to be repaired. At the same time, we are helping to run a helpline for assistance in Ukrainian and Russian. We are also helping to manage the refugee wave in neighbouring Moldova - we have long supported families there who have provided shelter for people fleeing the war.
In the Czech Republic, we help refugees to integrate, find accommodation, work, school and healthcare - all thanks to the massive support of our donors, who have donated over CZK 2 billion to SOS Ukraine. Meanwhile, 450,000 refugees have arrived in the Czech Republic since the start of the war, the highest number per capita of any EU country.
