A €1 million contribution on behalf of the FIA and the FIA Foundation is being made to support humanitarian actions to alleviate the suffering of refugees caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.  

The financial support will be split equally between the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a charitable contribution. 

Since Russia launched its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, it is estimated that more than 3 million people have left their homes and crossed into the neighbouring countries of Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia. The donations to the IFRC and the UNHCR will ensure urgent and targeted help to those in need, especially those most at risk including unaccompanied minors, single parent families, the elderly and the disabled. It will provide support for families with food, water, and hygiene products and assist people leaving Ukraine with shelter, basic aid items and medical supplies.  

The donation builds on ongoing actions from FIA member clubs which mobilised quickly and are already providing humanitarian support and assistance to refugees and internally displaced people. Member clubs have been collecting and transporting essential goods (medication, non-perishable food, hygiene and baby products), providing roadside assistance, and financial support through humanitarian organisations. The FIA has established a Humanitarian Taskforce to coordinate the Federation’s response to the Ukraine refugee crisis.

The FIA Foundation has also separately provided £20,000 to support an emergency convoy of donated fire engines and lifesaving equipment to Ukraine which has been organised by UK charity FIRE AID, working with many fire services and the UK government. The convoy set off on its journey to Ukraine on Saturday 19^th March.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “In collaboration with the FIA Foundation, and with the support of the IFRC and the UNHCR, we are combining our FIA resources to support the humanitarian effort in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. We are indebted to the initiatives of our Member Clubs and the FIA Foundation in making a contribution to easing the plight of all those affected by the invasion of Ukraine. We hope for a peaceful outcome to the conflict.” 

 FIA Foundation Chairman, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, said: “The war in Ukraine is causing Europe’s worst refugee crisis since the Second World War. This requires an urgent response to try to alleviate some of the suffering. I am pleased that the FIA community, including clubs in countries bordering Ukraine, clubs across the world, the FIA leadership, and the FIA Foundation have come together quickly and effectively to show solidarity and to provide practical and financial support”.