Finland grants additional support to Ukraine

NordenBladet — Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. On 24 February, the Government decided to supplement its support to Ukraine by EUR 10 million of new funding.Finland will allocate EUR 3.3 million from the exclusive ODA budget item administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the “Partnership Fund for Resilient Ukraine”. This means that Finland’s total support to the fund will rise to EUR 4.3 million. The fund was set up by the United Kingdom in partnership with Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. The purpose of the fund is to support widely the sustainability of Ukraine’s local administration, civil society organisations, local communities and the private sector in the midst of war. Of the additional funding of EUR 6.7 million, to be directed to humanitarian assistance, EUR 3.7 million will be channelled via the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and EUR 3 million via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Both organisations play an important role in the protection of civilians. The UNHCR also maintains emergency stocks in different parts of the country and is prepared for changes in the refugee situation in the region. The ICRC works to meet people’s basic needs and aims to strengthen respect for and implementation of international humanitarian law in dialogue with the parties to the conflict.“The situation is serious and highly exceptional. It is important that Finland shows solidarity with Ukraine and people in Ukraine also through concrete actions. The additional funding will increase Finland’s assistance to Ukraine in the first months of the year to EUR 14 million,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari. On 17 February, due to the deteriorated situation in Ukraine, Finland made a decision on a one-off additional grant of EUR 4 million to the country. Of this, EUR 2.5 million comes from the exclusive ODA administered by the Ministry and EUR 1.5 million is humanitarian assistance through international organizations. Finland’s support to Ukraine in 2014–2022 will be EUR 86 million. Support has been provided in the form of projects, funding for the activities of international organisations, humanitarian assistance and seconded experts. Finland has supported Ukraine, among other things, through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and participation in mine clearance and civilian crisis management. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi