The Stand Up for Ukraine pledging event in Warsaw, Poland, on April 9 announced $10.1 billion (9.1 billion euros) in new cash grants and loans to support those who had to flee their homes in Ukraine.
The $4.6 billion (4.1 billion euros) in grants and $5.5 billion (5 billion euros) in loans will support refugee efforts in Ukraine in providing accommodation and economic security, as well as support for grassroots organizations and UN agencies working with refugees and internally displaced people.
The use of these funds should not undermine other crucial development and humanitarian priorities and pit vulnerable people against each other. Efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine cannot be at the expense of vulnerable populations around the world.
The pledging event, hosted by Global Citizen in partnership with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, followed the Stand Up For Ukraine global social media rally on April 8, in which activists, advocates, artists, entertainers, and more called on world leaders to pledge their support for those forcibly displaced in Ukraine and globally.
Convened by von der Leyen and Trudeau, in partnership with Global Citizen, and moderated by Isha Sesay, with the participation of Andrzej Duda, President of Poland, the Stand Up for Ukraine pledging event sought to raise billions of dollars to address the humanitarian crises and bolster the United Nations’ flash funding appeal to assist the more than 4.4 million refugees who have fled Ukraine, the 6.5 million people displaced within the country, and other global humanitarian priorities.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine intensified, President Zelenskyy shared a video message with Global Citizen on March 6, calling on people worldwide to lend their support to the people of Ukraine. Over the next few weeks, Zelenskyy shared more messages, updating Global Citizens on the war, describing the devastating humanitarian situation, and the surging number of refugees fleeing the country. Throughout, he urged people to call on world leaders for immediate aid. These messages arrived amid a much broader campaign for international assistance, but they underscored the role that ordinary people can play in championing human rights and advocating for peace.
THANK YOU for stepping up and taking action. Together with our partners, we secured $10.1 billion in pledged new grants and loans for refugees and displaced people in Ukraine and around the world. #StandUpForUkrainepic.twitter.com/aL3ha7EOPK
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) April 9, 2022
The momentum generated by this and other efforts led to von der Leyen and Trudeau announcing the Stand Up for Ukraine pledging event alongside Global Citizen’s April 8 social media rally.
As part of the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign, Global Citizen and more than 70 organizations, businesses, and institutions published an open letter on April 8 calling for world leaders, governments, philanthropists, artists, and businesses to support humanitarian relief efforts for refugees from Ukraine and conflicts around the world.
The United Nations has called for $1.7 billion to address the escalating and multifaceted refugee crisis, but has emphasized that, due to its magnitude, much more will be needed — and that this financing must not be siphoned from other humanitarian funds. Oxfam reports that governments around the world have already begun or have considered simply moving humanitarian funds around to address the needs of Ukrainians.
Polish President Andrzej Duda (left), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Stand Up for Ukraine pledging event in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Throughout its campaigning, Global Citizen advocates for global solidarity with communities across the globe that are still facing important challenges, from war to poverty, climate injustice, and unbearable inequalities. As part of the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign, Global Citizens called for commitments to be dedicated to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries, without discrimination on the basis of the nationalities of potential beneficiaries in the crisis-affected region.
Furthermore, we campaigned on the importance of funds pledged being new and previously unallocated. This is extremely important, to minimize the risk of cuts to existing, essential development and humanitarian programs, for instance in favor of covering in-donor country costs associated with the inflow of refugees.
Funds must be new, advocates insist, because if not it will simply worsen humanitarian situations in other countries and crises should never be pitted against one another for resources. In addition, similar levels of aid need to be mobilized for other countries as well.
The Stand Up for Ukraine event we saw a combination of pledges, including funds to Ukrainian authorities, UN agencies, grassroot organizations, and refugee resettlement costs, as well as a number of loans and guarantees. Some commitments related to refugee resettlement include funds EU member states have allocated to welcome refugees and provide accommodation, economic opportunities, access to health care, and education. Their implementation and the final amount of funds spent will depend on the amount of refugees being resettled in their respective countries.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, and Polish President Andrzej Duda speak with an activist at the Stand Up for Ukraine pledging event in Warsaw, Poland, on April 9, 2022.
While funds are needed to cover the costs of hosting refugees in EU member states and neighboring countries, this must not come at the expense of vulnerable populations around the world. Donor countries’ support is essential in the provision of development assistance and humanitarian relief. Global Citizen will continue to campaign for aid to reach people living in extreme poverty around the world, as well as those most affected by humanitarian crises anywhere, such as Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, or Ethiopia.
Announcements made by governments, corporates, and philanthropic partners were also made in the form of in-kind commitments to support humanitarian relief efforts within Ukraine, and neighboring countries supporting refugees fleeing Ukraine.
Public donations from citizens were also made as part of the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign. Over US$530,000 was donated to GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund by almost 5,000 individuals in 66 different countries.
In the spirit of collaboration and solidarity, government leaders showed their support for people fleeing conflict within Ukraine and in its neighboring countries. This included pledges for new financial and humanitarian commitments as part of Stand Up For Ukraine, that have been made since the end of February 2022.
The EUROPEAN COMMISSION, as a partner in hosting the Stand Up For Ukraine campaign, committed EUR 600M for Ukraine and EUR 400 million for refugees in the EU |
CANADA, as a partner in hosting the Stand Up For Ukraine Campaign, The Prime Minister today announced an additional CAD $100 million in humanitarian support to respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries, helping to provide added emergency health services, including trauma care, protection, and necessities such as shelter, water, and food. These funds will be allocated to experienced humanitarian partners who are best positioned to reach those most in need, quickly and efficiently. With today’s announcement, Canada has provided CAD $245 million since January 2022 in humanitarian assistance to respond to the impacts the conflict in Ukraine. The Prime Minister today also announced a series of measures to make it easier for Ukrainians to come to Canada including:
These new measures will help more Ukrainians take advantage of the dedicated Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) program, while also providing relief to European partners who are currently supporting displaced Ukrainians. |
BELGIUM committed to budgeting EUR 813 million in support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, as an increase in existing budgets. The majority of this funding (EUR 730 million) is currently intended to go to in-donor refugee costs within Belgium, with some support to other member states and Internally displaced persons. These figures will be finalized as the number of incoming refugees and government projects are determined. |
CROATIA committed EUR 100 million to assist Ukrainians seeking refuge in Croatia for the next six months of 2022. |
CZECH REPUBLIC committed an additional EUR 200 million toward in-country refugee costs. Global Citizen will continue to campaign to ensure that overseas development assistance is not used to pay in-country refugee costs, which is crucial for millions of people around the world. |
THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE DEVELOPMENT BANK committed EUR 1 billion in loans to its member states to support the longer-term needs of refugees and their host communities. |
The EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK outlined its plan to make available an additional EUR 4 billion in financing of loans by the end of 2023. It had announced last month its intention to launch a multi-billion euro package to mitigate the consequences of the refugee crisis. |
The EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT confirmed an allocation of EUR 1 billion of its EUR 2 billion Resilience Package which was first launched last month. This will support refugees outside Ukraine and internally displaced people in Ukraine. |
ESTONIA committed EUR 100,000 in additional, direct humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons within Ukraine. This pledge is in addition to previous contributions that Estonia has made in support of the people of Ukraine. |
FINLAND committed EUR 700 million toward in-donor refugee costs which were announced as increases in existing budgets, as part of the Finnish budget decision held on April 5, 2022. Finland also reiterated the contributions made to date in support of Ukraine and Moldova. |
IRELAND committed to direct all its REACT-EU funds, amounting to EUR 53 million, to humanitarian purposes, and reiterated its ongoing humanitarian support to Ukraine of EUR 20 million to date. |
ITALY reiterated its existing support to Ukrainians arriving in Italy to date amounting to EUR 500 million, as well as a previous contribution of EUR 110 million in financial assistance to Ukraine. Italy also made a new pledge of EUR 360 million in humanitarian aid for refugees in Europe. |
MALTA committed EUR 50,000 in health access services for Ukrainian refugees via a UN agency in a country neighboring Ukraine, with a promise for further funding during the year. Global Citizen understands this is a reallocation of Malta's ODA budget and urges Malta, and all countries, to maintain essential overseas development assistance to countries around the world. |
SLOVAKIA committed EUR 530 million to stand up for Ukraine, as well as EUR 5 million to the Slovak Ukrainian cross-border cooperation. Global Citizen is investigating the nature and intended impact of these funds, and continues to campaign for humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries, free from discrimination and without leading to cuts to existing development programs. Slovakia also expressed support for the "School to Go" initiative for Ukrainian children's continued education. |
SWEDEN committed EUR 300 million toward in-country refugee costs, informing Global Citizen this would not be drawn from ODA budgets. |
QATAR pledged USD 5 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people through the Qatar Fund for Development. |
Expressions of support for Stand Up for Ukraine, featuring allocations and reiterations of contributions that have been made since the end of February.
AUSTRALIA reiterated its existing contribution of AUD 65 million in humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine, as well as its donation of coal supply for Ukraine's energy security. |
AUSTRIA highlighted its humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the region to date, including a previous pledge to double private donations until April 18, 2022 to the ‘Nachbar in Not’ (Neighbor in Need) initiative based within Ukraine and throughout the region. |
BAHRAIN’s Royal Humanitarian Foundation announced their support for the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign and its humanitarian contributions to Ukraine in March 2022. |
BULGARIA expressed its warm welcome to refugees fleeing Ukraine and reiterated the measures the nation has taken to date. |
CYPRUS reiterated a previous pledge of EUR 100,000 dedicated toward humanitarian efforts within Ukraine and its neighboring countries by UN agencies. This pledge is in addition to its existing contributions since the start of the conflict. |
DENMARK reiterated its support to Ukraine and Ukrainians fleeing the war. Global Citizen has been informed by the Danish government that funding that has been contributed thus far in humanitarian aid (over USD 53 million) and toward the World Bank support package for Ukraine (over USD 22 million). |
FRANCE announced its support for the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign. |
GERMANY reiterated a previous allocation of EUR 425 million in its contributions to assist in Ukraine humanitarian and development and neighboring countries, and EUR 70 million in medical assistance via the European Civil Protection Mechanism. |
GREECE reaffirmed that it would rebuild Mariupol's maternity hospital, a commitment it first announced in March 2022. |
HUNGARY announced its support for the Stand Up for Ukraine Campaign. |
ICELAND reiterated its support to Ukraine with approximately USD 3.8 million in funding to humanitarian assistance through international agencies. |
JAPAN highlighted the contributions it has made to Ukraine to date, including USD 300 million in financial assistance, humanitarian aid, and relief items. |
KOSOVO reaffirmed its intention to accept 5,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, which was first passed as a resolution in its parliament last month. |
KUWAIT reiterated its allocation of USD 2 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its neighboring countries, directed to specialized United Nations agencies. |
LATVIA announced its support for the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign, and reiterated humanitarian aid it has provided to Ukraine to date in bilateral contributions as well as via the EBRD Trust Fund, UN agencies, and international organizations. |
LITHUANIA highlighted its existing donations in in-kind humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine, amounting to EUR 40 million. |
LUXEMBOURG reiterated its support to internally displaced persons and refugees including a recent announcement of EUR 3 million in humanitarian aid through international agencies, in addition to the arrangements it has made to support those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine’s neighboring countries and arriving in Luxembourg. |
MEXICO announced its support for the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign. |
NORWAY reiterated its support to Ukraine to date, amounting to an allocation of overall efforts of NOK 2 billion for humanitarian aid and in-donor refugee costs. |
ROMANIA stated that EUR 50 million has already been allocated to refugees and EUR 3.5 million delivered in humanitarian assistance, including the latest allocation of 11 fully equipped ambulances to Lviv. |
SLOVENIA announced EUR 710,000 in humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries and for emergency appeals to Ukraine. This is to organizations including World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross, ITF Enhancing Human Security, Caritas Slovenia, and direct in-kind support, to which Slovenia has already made contributions in previous weeks. |
SPAIN reiterated EUR 31 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, first announced in March 2022. |
SWEDEN committed EUR 300 million toward in-country refugee costs, informing Global Citizen this would not be drawn from ODA budgets. |
SWITZERLAND highlighted CHF 80 million directed toward conflict-affected people in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries. |
The UNITED KINGDOM reiterated its support of GBP 400 million in humanitarian and economic aid to Ukraine, as well as GBP 500 million in financing for Ukraine, first announced in March and February, respectively. |
The UNITED STATES expressed its support for the Stand Up For Ukraine campaign and reiterated the humanitarian aid it is providing, including a recent allocation of USD 1 billion in as part of its ongoing response. |
The below commitments and announcements were mobilized through our corporate, philanthropic, and organizational partners to whom we are grateful for their support.
BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE has made a USD $50,000 donation to the International Rescue Committee’s humanitarian relief efforts and to the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY has pledged $9 million through both in-kind and financial support. This contribution will go toward increasing food and water supply in Ukraine, providing immediate relief for internally displaced people in Ukraine, and supporting refugees in surrounding countries. | |
CONTINENTAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION has made a donation of USD $10,000 through the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief fund. | |
CISCO has made a contribution of $4 million through $3 million in in-kind support and a $1 million employee-donation match to various local organizations operating in Ukraine and surrounding countries, in addition to $4 million in previous contributions to Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts from Cisco, Cisco Foundation, and employee contributions. | |
CRUSH MUSIC has made a USD $25,000 donation to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine through the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
DOCUSIGN has made a USD $40,000 donation to UN agency humanitarian relief efforts and to the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
GOOGLE has made a USD $1.5 million donation in support of the International Rescue Committee’s humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and around the world. | |
NESPRESSO has made a USD $250,000 donation to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine through the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
NESTLÉ has made a USD $250,000 donation to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine through the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
THE SEADREAM FAMILY FOUNDATION has made a USD $1.5 million donation to support refugees in Ukraine and globally, including through financial support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and International Rescue Committee, and the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
SUN LIFE has made a USD $80,000 donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees humanitarian relief efforts. | |
TWITTER has made a donation of up to USD $267,000 through its employee matching program to the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. | |
VERIZON has made a USD $250,000 donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in support of their humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. | |
The following donors have also pledged as part of this campaign and requested the amount to remain confidential to the public: CSL Behring, Farmamundi Foundation, The Foundation at Sanofi, Bridgewater Associates, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness |
Global Citizen would also like to acknowledge our many partners who supported the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign and social media rally, including: AEG, Bridgewater Associates, CAA, Captivate, Cisco, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Dolphin Entertainment, Guy Oseary, GSTV, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, iHeartMedia, Intersection, Link Media Outdoor, Live Nation, NBA, NBPA, NHL, NHL Players Association, NHL Alumni Association, OAAA, Oak View Group, the Recording Academy, The Door, TID Agency, Universal Music Group, Verizon, and WWE, as well as over 70 policy, NGO and civil society partners.
Even before the war in Ukraine, the world confronted record levels of displacement. In 2021, there were 84 million forcibly displaced people, 26.6 million of whom were refugees forced to flee not just their homes, but also their countries. However, the scale of the crisis has not been met with appropriate levels of relief funding. In fact, the UN reports a $10 billion funding deficit for baseline assistance in refugee situations. This gap prevents refugee agencies from carrying out essential services from food procurement to shelter provisioning to health care.
When Global Citizens take action, they’re fighting for a world free from extreme poverty. Global Citizens' voices influence world leaders and decision makers, and contribute to shaping our world. You can join the Global Citizen campaign to defeat poverty and defend the planet by taking action here, and become part of a movement powered by citizens around the world who are taking action together with governments, corporations, and philanthropists to make change.
Global Citizen is the world's largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty NOW. We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen — government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens — together improving lives. By downloading our app, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards, which can be redeemed for tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world. For more information, visit www.globalcitizen.org and follow @GlblCtzn.