MORE than one third of people (37 per cent) in the UK remain very concerned about the impact of the war in Ukraine, with another another 44 per cent describing themselves as “somewhat concerned”, in a new Savanta poll commissioned by Christian Aid for the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Just four per cent of the 2320 adults surveyed declared themselves “not at all concerned”; 13 per cent acknowledged themselves to be “not very concerned”. Asked whether they had donated money in the past 12 months to help the humanitarian crisis that followed the invasion, 37 per cent said yes, and 60 per cent said no.
The charity reports that 17.7 million Ukrainians are in need of aid, and more than 13 million are unable to return to their homes, one year after the invasion. Through the Disasters Emergency Fund, it has already been able to deliver emergency assistance totalling £10 million to more than 770,000 people.
The money has helped to provide shelter, and distribute lorry loads of food, besides life-saving medical equipment and hygiene kits for those forced to flee their homes and those still close to the front line.
The former Archbishop of York, Lord Sentamu, who chairs Christian Aid, said: “Vladimir Putin’s invasion has unleashed terrible violence and caused untold suffering to millions of innocent people. We have seen how homes have been destroyed, families torn apart, and innocent people subjected to atrocious violence and trauma.
“Thanks to the British public’s overwhelming generosity to the Ukrainian people, Christian Aid has been able to work through local partners to make a difference. I’m not surprised that so many people across our isles remain worried about the war. We must remember, every prayer, every gift, every action is bringing hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.”