Tödtling-Musenbichler: “There is no end to the Ukrainian war in sight – we must continue to support the people with humanitarian aid and long-term reconstruction projects!”
Vienna (OTS) – February 24, 2024 marks the second anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine: 17.6 million people, almost half of the population, are dependent on humanitarian aid, and 6.3 million people have been driven from their homes. Around 70,000 people have found refuge in Austria. Caritas has been working in Ukraine for 30 years and has continued to expand its assistance. Together with the Caritas network, more than 4 million people in Ukraine have been reached with winter aid, care for the elderly and help for children since the outbreak of war in February 2022. More than 100,000 children in 34 projects were supported. The spectrum of assistance ranges from humanitarian emergency supplies with clean drinking water, food, medicine and accommodation to long-term support such as psychosocial care, educational measures, housing renovation and the restoration of livelihoods.
At the beginning of February, Caritas President Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler was able to see for herself the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Ukraine: “This war has destroyed the lives of millions of people, children have been and are being robbed of their future. On our journey we saw very clearly that disaster relief must always be accompanied by reconstruction and that long-term help is essential. Unfortunately, there is no end to this war in sight, which is why the Austrian federal government is also called upon to make additional funds available for aid in Ukraine.”
Caritas network provides targeted help
With Russia’s attack in February 2022, the situation in Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically: your own house is often destroyed and far away – over 5 million internally displaced people and refugee Ukrainians find themselves in this situation. The constant fear caused by air alarms is a permanent psychological burden, especially for vulnerable people such as children and the elderly. Educational institutions are only operating to a limited extent; some children have not been to school for months and only have online lessons. Only around 30 percent of the 5 million children affected physically attend school. Andreas Knapp, Caritas Austria General Secretary International Programs: “Thanks to our strong local Caritas network, we have the opportunity to directly reach people affected by poverty and disadvantaged people, even under the most difficult conditions. Our long-standing partnership with Ukraine helped us to provide quick and targeted assistance after the outbreak of war.” With winter aid, the provision of accommodation for internally displaced persons, support with heating materials, food, medicine, emergency generators, crisis advice, sheltered rooms for children and cash aid, more than 4 million people are supported through the international Caritas network. “When we meet people in Ukraine, we always notice that our help makes a big difference. Above all, the solidarity from Austria gives the Ukrainians strength and motivation to persevere, which is what the people gave me on my journey,” Knapp continued.
Improve integration offers for displaced people in Austria
Support is not only needed for the local people in Ukraine, long-term prospects for Ukrainian displaced people are also necessary here in Austria. “Providing basic services to displaced people was an appropriate immediate measure. But now we have to ensure that people get extended residence permits and are covered by social assistance if necessary – this is particularly urgent for those who cannot work due to vulnerabilities such as age or illness. This group in particular would otherwise be stuck in basic care – a system that inhibits integration and does not guarantee existential security,” explains Tödtling-Musenbichler.
Increase in foreign disaster fund required
“For just 50 euros, a child can be provided with psychological support and care in a child-friendly space in Ukraine for a month,” explains Caritas President Tödtling-Musenbichler. “This help is possible because people in Austria show solidarity by donating. But we don’t just depend on people’s solidarity – the Austrian federal government is also asked to make additional funds available for Ukraine.” The need for humanitarian aid has been increasing almost unabated for years, said Tödtling-Musenbichler. “Increasing conflicts and multiple crises require the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to be increased to a total of 200 million euros per year by 2030. We also propose that 80 percent of the funds from the foreign disaster fund be planned for long-term crises and 20 percent reserved for acute crises!”
Caritas donation account:
Erste Bank: IBAN AT23 2011 1000 0123 4560, BIC GIBAATWWXXX
Keyword: Children in Need
Online donations: www.caritas.at/helfen
Questions & Contact:
Caritas Austria
Mag.a Claudia Vitt
The press officer
+43 664 82 66 920
claudia.white@caritas-austria.at
www.caritas.at