Mission to see how donations are being spent
Charity Glasgow The Caring City has returned from four days in Poland working with local partners to ensure funds raised help those who need it most.
Ross Galbraith, operations director, travelled to the charity’s hub in Wroclaw, Poland, from Friday to Monday to work alongside local aid groups and coordinators.
The outcome means that almost £150,000 of funds raised by the charity’s emergency appeal, more than £100,000 via itison and its members, is now directly helping Ukrainian refugees.
Galbraith said: “Building sustainability and local leadership into this crisis response is what will secure the greatest impact for money and resources raised here in Scotland. I spent time working with colleagues both sides of the Ukrainian/Polish border to ensure aid is being utilised where it is most needed.
“Besides the alarming need for food and safe havens for refugees to reside, there is a desperate need to move people to safety. We have secured transport for the safe passage of up to 2,000 women and children to cross into Poland with the support of local aid charities. We are also working in Kyiv, Lviv & Vinnytsia to provide food to those besieged by this pointless conflict.
“What I’d ask Scots to think about is what comes after the initial outpourings of kindness. What do you do after you’ve made your initial donations of a bag of clothes to your local appeal? The truth is this; we urgently need money to resource and equip our partners to provide critical services to those in desperate need. This conflict is unforgiving and relentless.
“I met women and children with obvious mental and physical wounds who need help. So please do not let this crisis slip from your mind. It is on our doorstep and impacting not only today but in the weeks and months to come. I urge you; give something today and if you’ve given before, and can afford to do so, please give again”.
The charity says ongoing donations will enable it to provide further targeted support - donations to the fundraising appeal can continue to be made here: justgiving.com/campaign/glasgow4ukraine
