Customers across the province have shown their support for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine by digging deep to raise funds.
Just under two months, BCL and BCCS collected $1,081,272.98 for the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. All donations made will go to providing emergency preparedness support, relief efforts and other humanitarian acts in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced by the conflict.
BCLDB’s Communications Manager Natalie Brown is inspired seeing the amount of B.C. residents wanting to make a change and support Ukrainian refugees.
“The fundraising efforts really show how British Columbians care about the devastating events that are unfolding in Ukraine and our customers continue to show overwhelming generosity when it comes to supporting those most in need both at home and abroad.”
Northwest B.C. residents continue to offer their support to Ukrainians. Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen is encouraging large and small districts to invite in refugees during this time of need.
“We're all watching this devastating and horrific war in Europe, which has been unimaginable,” he says. “So far, we know about 100,000 Ukrainians have been accepted for immigration into Canada under a special program. B.C. will probably get about 20% of that and we're encouraging communities from small and large to ready themselves to welcome Ukrainians.”
Cullen adds that Northwest B.C. communities are working with the government to expand their services as more Ukrainians arrive in the region.
“Our government just recently announced $15 million will go toward settlement agencies, accessible healthcare, childcare and counseling services. We know how incredibly important these services are for the trauma that they've just been fleeing from.”
In addition to the money raised through BCL and BCCS, the government announced in February that it would contribute $1 million to the Canadian Red Cross to support the people of Ukraine.
