Australians have contributed $5.1 million to a fundraising campaign aimed at providing emergency and humanitarian help to Ukraine in the middle of the country’s protracted conflict with Russia.
On Friday, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal disclosed that nearly 10,000 Australians have contributed to the cause.
This allowed the appeal to provide regular assistance to Ukrainians, including as food packages, medicine, hygiene kits, bedding, humanitarian commodities, and support programs.
Volunteers individually delivered supplies and relief to those in war-torn areas.
The donation record came nearly four months after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
The Australia Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, Rotary Australia World Community Service, and Caritas Ukraine collaborated on the Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
It was founded in 2015, but after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it stepped up its efforts to help Ukraine.
On behalf of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, Liz Paslawsky, chair of the International Coordination of Medical Supplies to Ukraine, claimed Australian donors have donated more than $2 million in medical supplies.
‘We are forever grateful for the generosity, support and kindness provided by so many individuals and organisations across Australia,’ Ms Paslawsky said.
She has personally managed volunteers in Australia and Europe, as well as overseen the distribution of aid from 60 sponsors, including hospitals.
Ms Paslawsky stated that medical aid is a priority for Ukraine because a growing number of persons are suffering from war wounds or lack access to essential medicinal supplies for ailments.
Russian attacks have also reduced medical supply and resources, such as ambulances.
According to a survey produced by the United Kingdom Humanitarian Innovation Hub, local groups such as Ms Paslawsky have been more effective in assisting Ukrainians than multinational organizations.
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal contributions came as Device Technologies, a Sydney medical technology company, donated 140 medical kits to hospitals in Ukraine, enough to treat up to 750 patients with severe injuries.
Donations to Ukraine peaked at the start of the invasion, but as the battle advanced over the next few months, the quantity declined.
Volunteers claim there is a possible ‘fatigue’ amongst donors as the conflict between the two nations appears to be unending, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Stefan Romaniw said: ‘Australia has to be vigilant to ensure that Ukraine fatigue does not set in because the war continues and people continue to die.’
‘At the end of the day, if Ukraine wins, the world wins. If Ukraine loses, we all lose. So we have to keep up the fight.’
Mr Romaniw expressed his hope that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would travel to Kyiv to support Ukraine after he received a formal invitation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
‘People don’t quite appreciate the importance of Australia. If Albanese was in Kyiv it would be a huge statement – that someone from thousands of kilometres away had come to support us.’
The Prime Minister said security issues will need to be considered before he accepted the invitation after his first national cabinet meeting on Friday.
‘I will take appropriate advice and obviously there are security issues as well in terms of such a visit,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘I appreciate the spirit in which it has been offered. We will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine.’
Since the beginning of the invasion, the Australian government has sent 20 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, six 155 mm howitzers and ammunition, 14 protected weapons systems, anti-armour weapons and ammunition, military equipment, battle rations, and medical supplies to Ukraine.
Another 20 Bushmaster vehicles and 14 armored personnel carriers will be delivered shortly.
Australia has contributed more than $285 million to Ukraine.