Belgium donates 800 million to "Stand up for Ukraine"
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) tweeted Belgium has provided 800 million euros for the "Stand up for Ukraine" campaign. The campaign was launched on February 26 by the EU and Canada to raise money for Ukrainian refugees.
"As the Belgian government, we have decided to budget 800 million euros to support Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens. This amount will be used for the reception of refugees in Belgium and for humanitarian aid in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries," says De Croo in a video addressed to Von der Leyen and Trudeau. He stressed that since day one, Belgians have opened their hearts and their homes to families on the run. "'At this very moment, more Belgian trucks with medical aid and food are on their way to Ukraine."
In total the world pledges 10.1 billion euros. This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the international conference organised by the European Commission and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Polish capital Warsaw.
The European Commission, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be donating one billion euros.
"Our hearts are broken by what is happening. We are shocked just day by the sheer inhumanity. Homes and hospitals are being destroyed, families torn apart. Grandparents don't know if their grandchildren are still alive. And the sickening brutality, war crimes where young mothers are raped by Russian soldiers," De Croo said.
(HC)
Photo taken on the event "Stand up for Ukraine" in Poland on April 9, 2022 © BELGA/ AFP PHOTO JANEK SKARZYNSKI