Canadian Red Cross has raised $151 million as of April 11 for its Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, says a Red Cross spokesperson.
That includes $30 million in matching funds from the federal government.
“Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, the Canadian Red Cross continues to raise money to assist with the Ukraine humanitarian crisis,” said Diana Coulter, senior manager for Red Cross communications in Alberta/Northwest Territories.
Recently a Fundraiser for Ukraine at the Red Deer Legion, featuring the music of Red Deer Polka Dots, raised $2,200 for the Red Cross campaign.
Band member Harold Aitken, of Red Deer, said people are very generous when it comes to raising money for the people of Ukraine.
“Anything you can do to help out, that’s what you do,” said Aitken who used to live in Dauphin, Man. which hosts Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival.
He said news reports of children fleeing Ukraine are difficult to watch.
“Can you imagine what it would be like to go home and all of a sudden have to pack your bags and go who knows where? It’s just hard to understand how that can happen.”
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On Saturday Russian forces accelerated scattered attacks on Kyiv, western Ukraine and beyond in an explosive reminder to Ukrainians and their Western supporters that the whole country remains under threat despite Russia’s pivot toward mounting a new offensive in the east.
Each day brings new discoveries of civilian victims of the invasion. In the Kyiv region, Ukrainian authorities reported finding the bodies of more than 900 civilians, most shot dead, since Russian troops retreated two weeks ago.
An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 Ukrainian troops have died in the war, and about 10,000 have been injured. At least 200 children have been killed, and more than 360 wounded.
Russians also have taken captive some 700 Ukrainian troops and more than 1,000 civilian.
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The Red Cross is a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization that refers to the conflict only as an armed conflict.
Funds raised for the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal are being used to provide neutral and impartial emergency assistance such as vital medical supplies, food, water, clothing, shelter, hygiene items, heating fuel, psycho-social support, and other urgent items to help those in need.
Specifically, in Ukraine, volunteers are delivering key items such as water, food, and blankets. Red Cross teams have also worked with local authorities to support the emergency evacuation of communities.
Canadian Red Cross has also opened the Ukraine Humanitarian Support in Canada Appeal to help people who have been displaced by the conflict in Ukraine when they arrive in Canada.
People living in Canada can donate to the appeals online at redcross.ca, or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
— with files from The Associated Press
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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