Vontobel supports ICRC’s Ukraine response
22/11/2022
Temps de lecture:
3
minute(s)
After almost nine months of intense armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the picture is not getting any better. Death, destruction, and unimaginable suffering – we’re witnessing a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic scale. Vontobel’s 2022 fundraising appeal supports the ICRC’s ongoing humanitarian response in the region, which has reached millions of people since February.
On Monday, November 21, Vontobel hosted a livestream for clients, employees, and guests to learn more about the challenges faced by the ICRC and their partner organizations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Guests from the ICRC were Alexandra Boivin, Head of Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy, and Yevgen Nosenko, Communication Field Officer, who joined the discussion live from Ukraine. Nearly 350 people joined the livestream, including Vontobel’s Board of Directors and Executive Board who were present at the event, to find out the ways in which our community can support the people affected by the armed conflict.
Since February of this year, millions of people have been affected by the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The ICRC has been at the frontlines of humanitarian efforts to help those affected since 2014 and has scaled up its operations since February 24, providing essential humanitarian aid, healthcare (including mental health and psychosocial support), cash and voucher assistance, and water and sanitation services. Together with the Ukrainian Red Cross, they have also facilitated voluntary evacuations from conflict-affected areas.
It’s important to understand that the conflict is not only affecting those living within Ukraine. In the words of Robert Mardini, ICRC Director-General: “The armed conflict in Ukraine is having a devastating effect far beyond its borders. Many millions of people already affected by other conflicts are simply unable to cope with shocks to food, energy, and finance systems.”
At Vontobel, we are proud to support the ICRC’s response. Each year, we run an annual fundraising appeal, in which the company matches donations made by employees. This year, Executive Board member Marko Röder, Head of Client Unit Asset Management, is Patron of the appeal. “For eight months, the armed conflict in Ukraine has brought insecurity, great suffering, and hardship to the civilian population,” Marko said in announcing the appeal. “I am proud that Vontobel will be contributing to the ICRC’s emergency aid for the people affected by the situation in Ukraine with our Fundraising Initiative.”
Facts & Figures
More than 14 million people have fled their homes due to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Many of the families still living in affected areas are not prepared or able to leave. The consequences – mental health challenges, wage losses, family separation – impact both those who have fled and those who remain.
High-level figures indicate that, as of mid-November 2022:
- 8 million people have fled Ukraine;
- Over 7 million people have been internally displaced; and
- Over 17 million people are in need of humanitarian support.
As the armed conflict continues and winter approaches, more people may be forced to flee, while others may struggle to meet even their most basic needs. The impact of this conflict will be felt for a long time: Even if the conflict were to end tomorrow, it will take years to recover from its impact on people, communities, cities, and the environment.
“The armed conflict in Ukraine is having a devastating effect far beyond its borders. Millions of people already affected by other conflicts are simply unable to cope with shocks to food, energy and finance systems.”
Robert Mardini, ICRC Director-General
Impact of the donation
As with past editions of our fundraiser, Vontobel matches every donation made by its employees, effectively doubling the total amount raised.
What will the donation be used for? The work that the ICRC has carried out since February includes:
- Over 1 million people provided with basic assistance, including food and hygiene items;
- Support to the production and delivery of clean water to up to 10.3 million civilians (e.g. water trucks, pumps, pipes);
- Distribution of materials for emergency repairs of damaged homes for over 33,800 households;
- 3 million people have access to adequate heating in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Chernihiv regions;
- Living conditions of 50,000 people were improved through assistance to IDP centers;
- Over 136,000 people residing in IDP centers received basic assistance;
- 330,000 people supported with unconditional cash assistance – nearly CHF 63 million;
- 863 people reached with mental health support;
- 166 healthcare facilities were supported with medical equipment, tools, and drugs;
- 467 wounded and sick persons were evacuated by the ICRC ambulance teams;
- 138,000 people were able to continue their treatment with donations of medication for non-communicable diseases to medical facilities;
- Over 3,500 families given news directly on the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones; and
- Over 2,100 people improved their awareness of risks related to the danger of unexploded ordinance.
Last year’s fundraiser raised CHF 200, 000 for the ICRC – with your generous support. We thank you for every donation also made this year and hope we can reach – if not exceed – last year’s substantial and much needed financial support. In the spirit of “One Vontobel”, let us make a difference, together, and help those less fortunate than ourselves.
