Help to Ukraine: Denmark sends an additional DKK 150 million for humanitarian efforts

“The crisis is developing by the minute and the humanitarian situation has worsened drastically. The UNHCR estimates that up to eight million people are at risk of displacement from their homes in Ukraine and that up to four million of these people will attempt to flee the country.”

“We are facing a humanitarian crisis in Europe of historic dimensions, and one that can develop far beyond what we have seen in generations. Therefore, the Danish Government is increasing its support for the Ukrainian civilian population with an additional 150 million kroner for basic humanitarian needs and other concrete emergency efforts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Among other things, the Red Cross is already actively purchasing blankets and hygiene kits.”

“We will also support efforts to protect civilians who have had to flee their homes for safety – and especially the Ukrainian children. At this present moment, we must ensure that the children can continue attending school and that they have access to health services and other basic necessities. This includes food, shelter, warm blankets, toilet paper, money, plastic tarps for temporary repairs to damaged homes, and clean water.”

“We are sending 50 million kroner to the UN’s humanitarian efforts and 100 million kroner to the Danish NGOs and their international partners on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. With this new support, Denmark has so far sent 200 million kroner for emergency efforts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. We are also working closely with the Danish Emergency Management Agency to deliver equipment for the protection of civilians and a mobile hospital. The first shipment of equipment, which included generators, has already arrived at the humanitarian and logistical coordinating point on the border between Poland and Ukraine. Denmark was thereby among the first countries to get help to the EU’s civil protection mechanism. Our delivery of a mobile hospital is also in full swing. We expect that all equipment for the mobile hospital will be delivered to the coordinating point in Poland this week.”

“In this difficult time, it is heart-warming to see how the Danes are coming together to help Ukraine. The emergency aid organisations are reporting a large number of voluntary donations, and Danish philanthropic foundations are also contributing to the effort. We must help the Ukrainian people quickly and in the best possible way. This is a crisis in our own neighbouring region, and therefore we have a heightened responsibility to step up with help and protection.”

Background
Of the total package, DKK 25 million will go to the UNHCR’s response in Ukraine to protect internally displaced persons and to meet their urgent needs. DKK 25 million will go to UNICEF’s response, which will help up to 7.5 million children in Ukraine and ensure their education, health and access to water. 

The DKK 100 million for Danish and international organisations will be allocated to an immediate disbursement fund, where Danish organisations with a strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark can receive funding for their own or international partners’ work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

On 25 February, the Minister for Development Cooperation announced a contribution of DKK 50 million to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC. Denmark has also donated civilian equipment and a mobile hospital to Ukraine through the Danish Emergency Management Agency, with a total value of DKK 22.2 million.

For more information

Senior Press Advisor, Laura Sørensen Topp, tel. (+45) 61 97 92 41, lautop@um.dk