Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg participated at Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, announcing additional 18 Million Euros in Immediate Aid.
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains critical: In addition to the systematic destruction of vital infrastructure, such as the Kakhovka Dam, the Russian aggression against Ukraine has triggered the largest displacement of people in Europe since World War II.
Therefore, the Federal Government is allocating an additional 18 million euros from the Foreign Ministry’s Austrian Disaster Relief Fund (AKF) to support the people in Ukraine and Moldova. Moldova, as a neighbouring country, hosts the highest number of displaced persons from Ukraine in relation to its population. With this latest contribution, Austria’s bilateral financial support exceeds the threshold of 150 million euros.
At least 17.6 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance, including over 3 million children. Furthermore, the nationwide contamination caused by internationally condemned landmines and explosive remnants of war exacerbates the situation for the Ukrainian civilian population. Humanitarian organizations play a vital role in providing on-site assistance.
“The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam represents a new escalation level in the midst of Russia’s brutal and illegal aggression against Ukraine. Russia is even willing to trigger an ecocide as a cold tactical calculation. This once again emphasizes the importance of international solidarity and humanitarian aid for Ukrainians affected by the flooding. Such support is made possible because this government has more than quintupled the budget for humanitarian assistance,” stated Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler.
An amount of 6 million euros each will be allocated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Additionally, 4 million euros will be provided to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), while 2 million euros will be allocated to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
In addition to humanitarian aid, the focus must also shift towards reconstruction. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg represents Austria at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London for this purpose. The aim of the conference is to mobilize international support for the economic and social stabilization of Ukraine, while assisting the country in addressing the consequences of the war.
“Humanitarian aid and reconstruction go hand in hand. We must already start focusing on reconstruction to stabilize the country. Austrian companies and financial institutions were among the first Western companies to invest in Ukraine in the 1990s, and they are now ready to make a significant contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine. As the Austrian Federal Government, we will do everything in our power to create the right conditions for this,” concluded Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
