Finland to provide EUR 20 mln in humanitarian aid to Ukraine

Finland has announced the allocation of EUR 72 million for humanitarian aid, of which EUR 20 million is for Ukraine, according to the website of the Finnish government.

"In total, EUR 20 million in humanitarian aid will be allocated to Ukraine from the budget line ‘Support for Ukraine.’ The aid will be provided through UN humanitarian organizations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)," the statement reads.

The organizations will, in particular, respond to people’s winter and heating needs by distributing, among other things, heaters, fuel, clothing, and cash assistance, as well as assisting in the repair of houses and water, electricity, and heating systems damaged during attacks.

Finland will allocate EUR 6 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), EUR 6 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), EUR 5 million to the ICRC, and EUR 3 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), from which funds will be distributed locally according to needs.

"Russia attacks significantly complicate the survival of people living in the midst of war during winter conditions in Ukraine. Supporting access to energy and heat is especially important now, as the need for humanitarian support is acute. Our increasing assistance helps people with basic needs. Finland supports Ukraine," said Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

In its humanitarian aid decisions for the beginning of the year, Finland, in addition to Ukraine, emphasizes major conflict zones and refugee crises in Africa, as well as the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.