I have been approached by constituents about how best they can donate to support the people of Ukraine. I have received this useful advice from the Foreign Office.
Donations in Kind
The UK welcomes the UK public’s eagerness to support the people of Ukraine at this time. We do however request that organisations and people who would like to help donate cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it’s needed and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what’s most needed. The Polish Embassy in London recently released this statement asking the UK public not to organise further in kind donations. Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through given the huge logistical and coordination challenges associated with handling and onward distribution. Goods provided may not be what is most needed and run the risk of not reaching affected populations, including looting and theft or being sold further on informal markets thereby distorting the local economy. Distribution is difficult to control and manage well, particularly in conflict affected contexts – the most vulnerable like women, the elderly, disabled and children often do not receive goods. If members of the public would still like to take forward a donation of goods we encourage you reach out to a charity or organising body based in the country where you intend to donate to establish what is needed and how to deliver it before you begin to collect goods:
In Poland the authorities have issued a statement calling on the UK public not to provide further in-kind donations. Specific offers can still be channelled through their official website (https://pomagamukrainie.gov.pl/) and a Polish NGO forum coordinated by PAH (Polish Humanitarian Action) includes a number of national and international NGOs and the Polish Red Cross. You can register to be part of that forum here or contact the Polish Red Cross (PCK) zarzad.glowny@pck.pl / head.office@pck.pl
March 11, 2022
Pleased you have raised this John, as there appear to be a worrying number of rogue organisations about, with regards to requesting donations.
Just for further information, many Local Lions Clubs (along with other WELL ESTABLISHED organisations) can also accept financial donations for Ukraine, which is then sent on and distributed via their own Lions International organisation, to the Lions Clubs in the locally affected regions.
Lions International has over 1,500,000 voluntary members, in over 200 Countries world wide.
Any donation is sent forward in full, with no overheads or expenses taken or applied, from any donation amount given, thus you can be assured that 100% of your donation is spent locally where needed.
Most areas in the UK has an official Lions Club which operates not only locally, but Internationally in times of dire need.
As usual, make sure when you search for any organisation, make sure it is genuine.
March 11, 2022
The overseas aid budget should be used entirely to fund humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the receiving countries not funding girl bands in Eritrea.
We, the taxpayer are doing enough only it’s wasted on vanity projects.
March 11, 2022
Ian. Quite right and stop sending to India and Pakistan who have not supported the West in this war.
March 11, 2022
Better to keek your money in your pocket, you will need it as a result of this circus!
March 11, 2022
Yes MFD. 500 litres of oil approaching £1000. People I’m rural areas have no choice but to use oil. Many I’ve spoken to just cannot afford this. All the government can talk about is insulation. We still have to buy the bloody stuff when it runs out regardless of insulation. They really havent got a clue but then with a nice £42 per week pay rise they dont need to understand. My council tax came through today. Another £14 month. That’s the rise in the ‘generous’ pension gone.
March 12, 2022
Yip Fus, Could give technical advise on how to insulate a listed Devon Long House made from cob!
They are talking about the rubbish estate housing of the fifties
March 11, 2022
Why is the public sector so slow? No sense of urgency.
I donated over a week ago to a national GoFundMe as posted by the local Ukrainian community centre which sends the cash to 3 aid partners in Ukraine including the Ukrainian Red Cross.
March 13, 2022
GoFundMe. The organisation that kept people’s money after they’d donated to the Canadian truckers. Then threatened to send it to their own charities of choice. I wouldn’t trust them – why does anyone? Why not donate directly to the Red Cross if you believe in them?
March 11, 2022
You can also use The Big Give Ukrainian appeal, I hope as Alan indicates above that the whole sum goes to useful housing and schemes that benefit the people.
March 11, 2022
That’s very laudable but wouldn’t it have been better to have avoided this conflict through negotiation?
Especially in view of the events of 1962 which were very similar, but in reverse.
March 12, 2022
Perhaps you could send this advice to President Putin and see what happens?
March 12, 2022
My wife is involved with a local group which was formed on social media – 9 vanloads are heading to Poland today.
But this, apparently, is wrong. You should donate money to one of the big aid charities with a chief executive on £200k and fancy offices in Londongrad.
March 12, 2022
Mike nothing wrong with what your wife is doing, but it is more cost effective to get the money to a trusted organisation who are local to the problem, because a van load of low cost or bulky items, will cost more in fuel to get there, than they are actually worth.
There are a number of charitable organisations who do not operate in the way you suggest, you simply have to do some research and be aware of them.
All Lions members pay their own expenses from their own pockets, as do a number of other voluntary organisations.
Wish your wife’s group well .