The Stand Up For Ukraine event sees $ 10.1 billion pledged in support of refugees

At Saturday’s event, $ 4.6 billion in grants and $ 5.5 billion in loans were provided to Ukraine and other European countries, United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations for humanitarian efforts to support of the people affected by the invasion.

The European Commission has pledged $ 1.1 billion, including Canada ($ 80 million), Belgium ($ 904 million), Croatia ($ 111 million), the Czech Republic ($ 222 million), Estonia ($ 111,000 ) and Finland ($ 778 million). Millions), Ireland ($ 58 million), Italy ($ 400 million), Malta ($ 55,000), Slovakia ($ 595 million), Sweden ($ 333 million) and Qatar ($ 5 million). Companies that pledged support included Blue Bottle Coffee, Bridgewater Associates, Cisco, The Coca-Cola Company, Continental Development Corporation, Crush Music, CSL Behring, DocuSign, Farmamundi Foundation, Google, Nestlé, Nespresso, Twitter, Verizon, The Foundation at Sanofi, Seadream Family Foundation and Sun Life.

The Council of Europe Development Bank has pledged $ 1.1 billion in loans, while the European Investment Bank has pledged $ 4.4 billion, which has yet to be approved by its Board of Directors. In addition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has confirmed that it will allocate $ 1.1 billion of the $ 2.25 billion package previously announced on 9 March, particularly for projects in crisis-hit municipalities. As many as 5,000 citizens from 66 countries have donated more than $ 500,000.

The event was invited by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, in collaboration with Global Citizen, with the participation of the Polish President, Andrzej Duda, and the British journalist Isha Sesai, who is the moderator.

“It is not only Ukraine that is fighting for its sovereignty and integrity, but it is also fighting for humanity to win or it will result in horrific destruction,” von der Leyen said. “We want to unite the world for refugees, inside and outside Ukraine, to support them.

“Your voice, donations and patronage really make a difference. “You are helping to provide food, water, shelter and medical care to refugees who have had to flee their homes, so thank you,” said Trudeau. “We continue to work together to mobilize governments around the world, to support private businesses and people in our communities, to support refugees from Ukraine and, indeed, to support all Ukrainians.”

“Convince your politicians. “Stay with Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech to citizens around the world. “Stay with freedom. Be brave”.

More than 4.4 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the February 24 Russian invasion. Currently, a total of 6.5 million people are internally displaced.

The Ukraine Promise event was preceded by a stellar social event on April 8, which was attended by artists, athletes, entertainers, lawyers and citizens from all over the world.