The European Union has made an announcement about an additional €205 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine as Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič has visited the nation on Thursday, meeting humanitarian organisations and government officials to help coordinate the crisis response on-site.
In total, the EU has offered €700 million in assistance to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country, of which €13 million is dedicated to projects in neighbouring Moldova.
The latest funding is used to provide food, water, healthcare, shelter, protection and cash assistance. “We are committed to supporting Ukraine as long as it takes,” said Lenarčič, adding that the EU works closely with the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the assistance provided by the Member States is aligned with the constantly evolving needs.
In addition to financial humanitarian assistance, the EU has mobilised all possible resources to enable aid in Ukraine, including aid kits, strategic equipment, medical assistance and equipment, and humanitarian warehouses in its neighbouring countries.
The EU’s humanitarian partners are ensuring that assistance reaches the most vulnerable people, even in restricted areas. Cash assistance programmes have offered more than 1.5 million people a monthly grant of 2,200 UAH (nearly €70), allowing them to purchase items they need the most, while simultaneously contributing to the local economy.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 15.7 million people require humanitarian assistance, as 14 million people have been forced to leave their homes, and seven million have crossed the border to neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, a report by Europe Beyond Coal has revealed that the EU spent an estimated €60 billion on Russian energy since the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.
The EU spent €32.5 billion on Russian oil, €25.9 billion on fossil gases, and €1.6 billion on coal. Belgium spent €1.5 billion on oil, €800 million on gas, and €158 million on coal.
Critical voices out that this amount could have paid for considerable renewable energy sources.