Category: News

February 24, 2022. TORONTO/OTTAWA – Today, Russia has declared war on Ukraine. The Russian army conducts military operations against the Ukrainian people, targeting several Ukrainian cities. There were reports of explosions in the capital Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and many others.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) today announced a major update on its fundraising efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis ensuing from the current Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Province of Alberta will donate $1 million toward humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine as Russian aggression in the country escalates.

“The UCC and CUF are also pleased to announce that the Temerty Foundation has generously donated $750,000 to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal,” said Orest Sklierenko, CUF’s President and CEO.

“We are extremely grateful to them for their generous contribution and ask all Canadians to join in our efforts to help people in Ukraine who have had to flee their homes,” said Alexandra Chyczij, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

With the donation by the Province of Alberta and the Temerty Foundation, the Ukraine Appeal Fund has raised $2,390,000 to date. This includes a generous $100,000 contribution from the Province of Saskatchewan, $150,000 donation from the Province of Manitoba, $300,000 – from the Province of Ontario and many organizational and individual donors.

Members of the Ukrainian Canadian community, many of our friends and colleagues across Canada, community organizations, provincial governments and a major donor have responded to the appeal and helped us exceed the preliminary Phase I target of $1.5M.

 Today we are announcing a Phase II target of $5M aimed at continued supplies of food and medicine for displaced Ukrainians.

“In addition to streamlining the Canadian response, we are also encouraging other Ukrainian diaspora countries to do the same and assess how to best support Ukrainian people at this time of need,” – said Orest Sklierenko, CUF’s President and CEO.

Your donation is needed to help support this important community project!

Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca or by sending a cheque to CUF office.

 For further information: [email protected]

Background

The Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Committee has been established jointly by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada Ukraine Foundation to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian assistance/relief in the areas of Assistance to displaced persons, Medical care, Emergency Shelter and Food security.

TORONTO/OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) are pleased to announce that the Ukrainian Women’s Organization (UWOC) National and Toronto Branch, have generously donated $7,000 to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The $7,000 donation consists of $5,000 from UWOC National and, $2,000 from the UWOC Toronto Branch.

“We are most grateful to the UWOC for their contribution to this important campaign,” stated Orest Sklierenko, President of the CUF.

The Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada, founded in 1930,  supports the democratic, economic, and social development of a free and independent Ukraine.

“The members of the UWOC are carrying on the tradition of their founders who were instrumental in providing essential aid and relief to Ukrainian refugees during World War II,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, President of UCC National.

The UHA will provide humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine, working with the Ukrainian Canadian community across Canada to reduce duplication of effort, increase efficiency and ensure aid efforts have the most effective impact for Ukrainian citizens affected by the crisis.

“Efforts will be focused on the provision of humanitarian assistance in the form of medical care, emergency shelter and food security to displaced persons,” stated Orest Sklierenko, President of the Canada Ukraine Foundation.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between UCC and CUF details a framework for mutual collaboration:

• to work collaboratively on humanitarian assistance initiatives directed towards Ukraine, facilitating uniform and coordinated action between the UCC and CUF, its branches, and members, while building on the recognized expertise, experience, and resources of each organization;
• to develop projects that will combine the subject matter and implementation experience of CUF with the expertise of UCC in uniting the Ukrainian Canadian community;
• to offer donors and other stakeholders an opportunity to make contributions and receive reports through a single channel; and
• to adopt a coordinated approach in collaboration with donors and other stakeholders who wish to support people in Ukraine affected by crisis.

The main efforts of cooperation will be to provide humanitarian assistance/relief in the areas of Assistance to displaced persons, Medical care, Emergency Shelter and Food security. The roles and responsibilities of UCC and CUF are detailed in the MOA, including financial accountability, reporting requirements and overall transparency to the Ukrainian Canadian community.