Finland Grants New Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

Finland has decided to grant a total of 20 million euros in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The support will be channelled through the United Nations' humanitarian organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as announced by Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release. 

Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, stated in a declaration that the support is aimed at contributing to the availability of energy, heating, and basic necessities during the winter period.

– Russia's attacks on Ukraine make it significantly more difficult for Ukrainians to cope under winter conditions. Helping them with energy and heating is particularly important right now when the need for humanitarian assistance is acute. Finland stands by Ukraine, says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio in the press release.

According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains severe due to the war and winter conditions. Attacks on the country's energy infrastructure have led to disruptions in the supply of heating, electricity, and water for large parts of the population, especially in areas near the front and major cities.

Of the total support of 20 million euros, 6 million euros will go to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 6 million euros to the World Food Programme (WFP), 5 million euros to the ICRC, and 3 million euros to Ukraine's humanitarian fund at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which allocates funds based on local needs.

In total, Finland allocates 72 million euros in humanitarian aid, with 20 million euros specifically going to Ukraine. The remaining funds will, among other things, support refugee crises in Africa and the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, according to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.