GOAL Appeals for Support with Ukrainian Conflict Response

GOAL has launched a Ukraine Response Appeal to support its humanitarian response and are calling on the Irish public to donate to help those most affected by the conflict, which is now entering its second week.

The United Nations (UN) estimates that the conflict has already seen over 1 million people flee Ukraine to neighbouring countries, while over 100,000 people have been internally displaced. Real figures are thought to be considerably higher. The UN further estimates that as many as five million people could be forced to flee the conflict.

Members of GOAL’s Emergency Response Unit travelled to Poland’s border with Ukraine this week and are delivering humanitarian aid and assistance to those displaced by the conflict.

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Dr. Georgina Jordan, who leads GOAL’s Emergency Response Unit and is in Poland, highlights the needs of displaced people that the aid organisation will meet:

“It is the already vulnerable who are most at risk, the very old, the very young and those with special needs. Refugees, including small children, report queues of up to 10 hours in the bitter cold, often overnight, at the Polish border with Ukraine. They are arriving hungry, cold and exhausted. Immediate needs include food, water, temporary shelter, clothes and blankets and medical items”.

“GOAL is working with local partners to deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid to address people’s urgent needs, including the provision of food and non-food items (NFIs), such as blankets, waterproof plastic sheeting, hygiene and sanitary products. 

“In addition, GOAL is working to establish appropriate cash and voucher distributions – one of the most effective ways to ensure displaced people and refugees can access the items they need the most.”

GOAL was previously operational in Eastern Ukraine from 2015 – 2017 and assisted thousands of displaced people in the Donbas region with food and financial assistance.

The Emergency Response Team is also assessing broader needs in Moldova and Hungary in the coming days.

Siobhan Walsh, GOAL CEO said: “GOAL has already received great support from the Irish public and Irish businesses who are all stepping up and going the extra mile.  We are especially grateful to AIB for their leadership and generosity in being a key partner in GOAL’s response.”

For more information on GOAL’s Ukraine Appeal and to donate, please visit: https://www.goalglobal.org/ukraine/