Collections for Ukraine have already raised over CZK 1.5 billion, the most in the history of the Czech Republic
Updates: 07.03.2022 11:46
Released: 07.03.2022, 11:19
Prague – The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army provoked an unprecedented wave of solidarity in the Czech Republic. So far, humanitarian organizations have collected over 1.5 billion crowns in financial collections alone, and millions more are added every day. According to available information, this is the highest amount that has been raised in the Czech Republic to help people suffering from a natural disaster or other disaster. So far, the record has been about 1.3 billion CZK collected after the first tornado in South Moravia. Another almost half a billion crowns were collected by the Ukrainian embassy in Prague in a collection to support its country’s army.
People can send money to help Ukraine either directly to the collection accounts of non-governmental organizations, or use the portal on the web Darujme.cz. There you will find links to the collections of more than 40 organizations. So far, the most gathered in the collection of SOS Ukraine organization Man in distressto date, more than 1.2 billion crowns.
Company Post Bellum has raised almost 120 million crowns, buys medical supplies, bulletproof vests, helmets, gloves, sleeping bags, tents, radios, batteries, drones, thermal imaging, food and other supplies for the country’s defense. In the collection of the Czech Red Cross (CRC), which focuses on medical care, cost almost 125 crowns. “In addition, the promise from donors is currently about another four to five million crowns,” Miroslava Jirůtková from the Czech Red Cross said today. Caritas CR at web states that it has so far collected over 83 million crowns to help Ukraine.
ADRA had almost 45 million available in Ukraine before the weekend and they are still growing. He also cooperates with the Aid Foundation or the Tereza Maxová Foundation. He helps directly in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian branch, he mainly supplies food, hygiene items and blankets to the needy, he provides evacuation and shelter. In the Czech Republic, her volunteers take part in the activities of assistance centers in Ostrava, Brno and other cities or help accommodate refugees in the humanitarian registration center in Vyšné Lhoty in the Frýdek-Místek region, Renáta Chlebková from ADRA told ČTK.
The Czech Crown of the Czech Brethren Evangelical Church has chosen another crown, and millions of Czech UNICEFs, Médecins Sans Frontières, food banks, the Salvation Army and dozens of other non-governmental organizations are also following the resolution of humanitarian conflicts in Ukraine. There are collections designed to help Ukrainian Roma children and families, the sick, journalists, dog shelters or families of Ukrainian karatekas, and more are being created.
Material collections are also held throughout the country to help people in Ukraine and those who left for the Czech Republic before the war. The state, regions and cities, companies, schools, associations and individuals are involved in the assistance. There are also a number of charitable events that are based on the proceeds of the Ukrainian collection. An estimated 100,000 refugees have arrived in the Czech Republic since the beginning of the fighting on February 24, and thousands more are coming during the ongoing conflict.
The Prague City Hall will provide 250 million crowns in its budget to help Ukrainian refugees. The money will go to humanitarian and material aid, educating children or providing accommodation and transport. The decision of the Prague councilors was announced to ČTK by Deputy Mayor Pavel Vyhnánek (Prague Sobě). He will take the municipality’s money from last year’s surplus.
Already during the February invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Prague deputies approved aid to Ukraine in the amount of ten million crowns. Refugees can travel for free on public transport and the city has waived accommodation fees. There is an assistance center in the Prague Congress Center (KCP), where they help refugee officials with documents, for example.
“We are managing prudently and thanks to that we have resources ready to deal with emergencies. Helping Ukraine torn apart by the war and its citizens on the run with CZK 250 million is the least the capital can do. If necessary, we are ready to start increasing,” said Vyhnánek.
The money will be used to acquire material aid and its distribution. The city will pay assistance to refugees who come to Prague, including the operation of assistance centers, children or assistance in providing temporary accommodation, transport or health care. The specific use of funds for individual measures will be approved by the council.
Refugees can use free public transport in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region. To help the city and also houses children’s and youth schools. They will take care not only of education, but also of extracurricular activities of Ukrainian children. The city and the region want to relieve their parents in arranging important things related to coming to other countries. Municipalities have also reserved accommodation for refugees and are organizing material and financial collections.