Vodafone and its customers have raised £375,000 for the British Red Cross Ukraine appeal, funding vital aid, from SIMs to mental health support, for all those affected by the conflict.
“Loza and her granddaughter Eva met Red Cross teams at our Health Centre in Uzhhorod (western Ukraine). When the line of conflict reached their home in Bucha, they hid in a basement and Eva cried frequently. Loza explained that Eva was often frightened but is now calmer [at the centre] and loves to play with the Red Cross volunteers.”
This testimony from a Red Cross volunteer illustrates the struggles facing individual Ukrainians as the conflict in their homeland continues. Donations to the Red Cross and Red Crescent by Vodafone customers, matched by Vodafone, have raised £375,000 for the appeal.
This money is making a real difference to people’s lives.
Those donations help fund essential programs that assist Ukrainians both in Ukraine and in the UK:
- Providing £56m in emergency financial assistance to 626,000 people.
- Ensuing eight million people have access to clean water.
- Providing 718,000 people with vital healthcare.
- Assisting 367,000 people with their mental health.
- Distributing 14,640 SIM cards.
- Supporting 10,000 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the UK.
Cathy, a British Red Cross Emergency Response Officer who has been supporting Ukrainian arrivals at Luton and Stansted airports, said: “When people first arrive the SIM cards are what they ask for because that allows them to have contact with their loved ones at home.
“The response is one of gratitude; they are happy to see how the UK has opened up its arms to everyone and helped in so many ways.”
