Ukrainian appeal update

Thank you for your generous support of our Ukrainian appeal, which is raising money for Children on the Edge. As well as the funds donated on the Westbourne Just Giving page, Chapel Choir performed an amazing concert at Boxgrove and raised over £1000, bringing the total to over £8,000. 

Children on the Edge, who we have worked closely with before, is getting vital funds directly to aid workers who are on the ground in Romania and Moldova providing food, shelter and clothing to Ukrainian families crossing the border. 

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Below is the latest update from Ben Wilkes, Chief Operating Officer for Children on the Edge.

Following my trip to Romania, I wanted to update you all on the current situation and what we are doing as an organisation.

Firstly, I must say that the response of the Romanian and Moldovan people, civil society organisations and authorities has been fantastic. Everybody is pulling together and doing what they can. It is a well co-ordinated but fragile response, as the crisis continues to take twists and turns.

Nearly all the people entering Moldova and Romania are transiting through to other countries and we are calling this the first wave of refugees; those that have the means to travel and often contacts overseas.   

Our response in Romania was to establish an emergency fund to fill the cracks that were appearing, whilst in Moldova we are more involved in running reception centres, on the border near Odessa and both in and just north of Chisinau.

Whilst the Romanian and Moldovan responses were able to cope initially, it was feared that three small changes could lead to them being overwhelmed:

- an increase in the number/rate of refugee arrivals

- a reduction in the number transiting on

- a decrease in the support from locals

There is a large number of internally displaced people (IDPs) inside Ukraine and also a large number of vulnerable people, including a huge orphanage population (approx 100,000) within the country. Should these people decide to seek refuge in a neighbouring country, it would constitute the second wave and an increase in need.

I am in touch with our implementing partners in both Romania and Moldova every day and the situation is, indeed, beginning to change.

In Moldova, people are staying longer rather than transiting and in Romania we are seeing public support slow. A centre in Suceava got in touch with us, as they have not received any donations from the local population since Sunday and they needed a cook and some ingredients for the month. Additionally, this evening I heard that an orphanage near Kyiv with 40 to 50 children is due to transfer to the Iasi region of Romania (where we are placed) shortly.  

Because of the support we have, we are very well placed to respond to these and other situations and will continue to fill the cracks that are now, sadly, widening.

I still remain optimistic of an end to war soon but, even if this were to happen, the need will continue for some time and we will continue to help where we can.

I am convinced that Children on the Edge are yet again doing what they do best in serving the most vulnerable, but I'm more acutely aware than ever before that this is a team effort with everybody playing their individual part.

Thank you all once again.

Ben