The “Stand Up for Ukraine” global pledging event and campaign has raised 9.1 billion euros for people fleeing the Russian invasion, inside Ukraine and abroad, including €1 billion from the European Commission. On top of that, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced an additional €1 billion in loan to cover the needs of the people displaced by the invasion.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “The solidarity of countries, companies and people worldwide offers some light in this dark hour. The ‘Stand Up For Ukraine' campaign has raised 9.1 billion euros for people fleeing bombs, inside and outside Ukraine, with an additional billion pledged by EBRD. And more will come. We will continue providing support. And once the bombs have stopped falling, we will help the people of Ukraine rebuild their country. We will continue to Stand up for Ukraine.”

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau said: “Today, we raised over CAD $12.4 billion to continue supporting the Ukrainian people who have been displaced by Putin's ongoing and unjustifiable war. Whether it's food, water, shelter, or medical aid – we will continue to have your backs and provide the assistance you need at this time. We are standing up for Ukraine.”

Out of these €10.1 billion in pledges and EBRD funding, €1.8 billion are for internally displaced persons and €8.3 billion for refugees in frontline EU Member States and countries, like Moldova.

The €9.1 billion pledge is broken down as follows:

• €4.1 billion are financial contributions and in-kind donations for internally displaced people and refugees pledged by governments, companies and individuals around the world.

• €5 billion are loans and grants from European public financial institutions (the European Investment Bank, and the Council of Europe Development Bank).

Pledges from governments for internally displaced people in Ukraine will be now channelled largely through the Ukrainian authorities, central and local level. Donations from the private sector and individuals for internally displaced people will be channelled mainly through UN agencies.

Background

The Stand Up For Ukraine online pledging event concludes a broader social media campaign launched by the European Commission and the Government in Canada on Saturday 26 March, in partnership with Global Citizen. 

The campaign answers a call for support launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The aim of the campaign is to raise funding and other types of support to cater for the needs of the people fleeing the invasion inside and outside Ukraine.

In particular:

• For the more than 4 million people who have already sought shelter in the EU and for others who are likely to come: the funding will be used to cater for their short and medium-term needs in EU Member States, from food, housing and medical care to education and employment.

• For the 6.5 million people, including 2.5 million children, who had to flee their homes but stayed in Ukraine and are now internally displaced: funding and donations will provide them with vital humanitarian care.

In recognition of Poland's essential role in supporting refugees fleeing the invasion of Ukraine, the Stand Up For Ukraine pledging event took place in Warsaw, with the participation of President Duda.

1. What is ‘Stand Up For Ukraine'?

On 26 March, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the international community to join forces in support of Ukraine.

Immediately responding to this call, the European Commission and the Government of Canada launched a global campaign the very same day to raise funds for the people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The campaign is organised in partnership with international advocacy organisation Global Citizen.

The campaign culminated in a pledging event, broadcast live on 9 April, convened jointly by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In recognition of the Polish people's generosity towards refugees, the pledging event was held in Warsaw, with the participation of Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The ‘Stand Up for Ukraine' global pledging event and campaign has raised €9.1 billion for people fleeing the invasion, inside Ukraine and abroad, including a €1 billion pledge from the European Commission.

On top of that, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced an additional €1 billion in loan to cover the needs of the people displaced by the invasion.

Out of these €10.1 billion in pledges and EBRD funding, €1.8 billion are for internally displaced persons and €8.3 billion for refugees in frontline EU Member States and countries, like Moldova.

The €9.1 billion pledge is broken down as follows:

• €4.1 billion are financial contributions and in-kind donations for internally displaced people and refugees pledged by governments, companies and individuals around the world.

• €5 billion are loans and grants from European public financial institutions (the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank).

2. What is the goal of this campaign?

The ‘Stand Up For Ukraine' campaign seeks to mobilise governments, institutions, artists, companies and individuals to raise funding and support the people of Ukraine.

In particular:

• For the more than 4 million people and counting who have already sought shelter in the EU: the funding will be used to cater for their short and medium-term needs in EU Member States and Moldova, from food, housing and medical care to education and employment.

• For the 6.5 million people, including 2.5 million children, who had to flee their homes but stayed in Ukraine and are now internally displaced: funding and donations will provide them with vital humanitarian care.

All EU Member States have been invited to contribute with pledges, as well as G20 countries – except Russia – and other partner countries, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and the Gulf Cooperation Countries.

3. How much did the European Commission pledge?

The European Commission today pledged an additional €1 billion of which:

• €600 million for internally displaced people in Ukraine, via the repurposing of existing funds and humanitarian assistance. It will be channelled via the Ukrainian government, Ukrainian local authorities, UN agencies and NGOs.

• €400 million for Ukrainian refugees in frontline Member States via repurposed and new home affairs funds. This is on top what Member States have announced as part of their contribution to the campaign, notably in terms of cohesion funding.

4. How will you ensure that the money pledged as part of the campaign will reach the people of Ukraine?

Due diligence for the pledges made by EU Member States and third countries will be done by the European Commission. Global Citizen will handle the pledges made by the private sector and other actors.

The due diligence process will focus on: 

1) verifying the amount of the pledge,

2) determining amounts intended for refugees and/or internally displaced people and the potential impact

3) following up on the implementation of the donor's commitments.

5. What kind of other support did you receive?

Pledges took the form of financial contributions as well as in-kind donations, grants and loans.

The European Commission has created a system to channel in-kind donations from the private sector to Ukraine, Moldova and neighbouring EU Member States, to help cater for the needs of internally displaced and those who have fled the country.

The European Commission will coordinate the delivery of large-scale in-kind donations of vital items such as medicines, vaccines, medical equipment, tents, beds and emergency blankets.

€4.6 million worth of donations have so far been channelled via this new mechanism, including 100,000 ampoules of chemical antidotes, 300,000 doses of vaccines and 515 ventilators.

Companies can keep on making in-kind donations and are invited to contact the European Commission via email: [email protected]

6. Where will the money go? How will it be distributed?

Pledges from governments for internally displaced people in Ukraine will be channelled largely through the Ukrainian authorities. Donations from the private sector and individuals for internally displaced people will be channelled mainly through UN agencies such as the UNHCR, WFP, Education Cannot Wait, and more, as well as GlobalGiving. A full list of organisations can be found at www.forukraine.com

EU Member States have also announced funding that will go towards meeting the needs of refugees from Ukraine on their territory.

7. Why didn't you set a target for funding?

A week after Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the UN released a flash appeal for $1.7 billion to support emergency relief for Ukrainian refugees. This target has since been reached but with no end to the conflict in sight, needs are growing exponentially. After a month, more than 4 million people had fled Ukraine and millions more were displaced, in the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. It is essential to keep providing additional resources to cater for the needs of internally displaced people in Ukraine and of refugees. 

8. Why did you partner with Global Citizen?

This campaign is based on synergies to make the most of the combined outreach of the European Commission, Government of Canada and Global Citizen, to reach beyond the government level and involve civil society organisations active in Ukraine.

The European Commission has had fruitful collaborations with Global Citizen in the past, counting on the organisation's ability to mobilise the support of leaders, philanthropists, civil society and entertainers worldwide.

The European Commission notably worked with Global Citizen in the context of the Coronavirus Global Response pledging marathon, which raised billions of funding for universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments. We also collaborated on the Recovery Plan for the World campaign fighting poverty, hunger and climate change.

9. Who has Global Citizen mobilised this time?

The following artists have already joined the campaign:

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Adam Durica, Aitana, Alanis Morissette, Alejandro Sanz, Alexandra Stan, Angélique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Billie Eilish, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Chris Isaak, Chris Rock, Demi Lovato, Elton John and David Furnish, FINNEAS, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Gloria Steinem, Green Day, Herbert Grönemeyer, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, Igo, Jon Batiste, Jonas Brothers, Juanes, Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry, Leon Bridges, Luke Combs, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Mirai, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, Pharrell Williams, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ryan Tedder, Sarsa, Shaquille O'Neal, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Tame Impala, U2, Usher, Vito Bambino,Young Leosia, Adam Lambert, Alex Len of the Sacramento Kings, Arlo Parks, Ashlee SImpson, Au/Ra, Axelle Red, Barenaked Ladies, Bastille, Billy Porter, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Springsteen, Carole King, Christine and the Queens, Connie Britton, Dave Matthews,  Daymond John, Dora Jar, Dylan Dunlap, Ellen Degeneres, Ellie Goulding, Evan Ross, Fall Out Boy, Gelila Puck, Hozier, Isha Sesay, Jamala, KD Lang, Kesha, Lennon Stella, Little Big, Lola Lennox, Luis Fonsi, MÅNESKIN, Max Kilman, Metallica, Miyavi, Nicky Jam, Nigel Barker, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Noah Cyrus, Padma Lakshmi, Panic! At The Disco, Rita Ora, Rufus Wainwright, SOFI TUKKER, Sviatoslav “Svi” Mykhailiuk of the Toronto Raptors, Vitaly Potapenko of the Memphis Grizzlies, Weezer, Within Temptation, Zucchero, 5 Seconds of Summer,

These artists showed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine during a 24h social media rally on 8 April.

10. Did the artists get paid?

No. Artists participating are contributing their time, talent, and platforms to help the humanitarian response for Ukraine.

Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the global pledging event ‘Stand Up For Ukraine'

It is wonderful to be here with you, Hugh, with you, Mr President, with you, Justin. It is wonderful to have you here. Indeed, I was yesterday in Kyiv and I visited Bucha. And there are no words for the horror I have seen in Bucha, the ugly face of Putin's army terrorising people. And I have so much admiration for our brave Ukrainian friends fighting against this. They are fighting our war. It is our fight that they are in. Because it is not only Ukraine fighting for its sovereignty and integrity, but they are also fighting for the question whether humanity will prevail or whether heinous devastation will be the result. It is the question whether democracy will be stronger or if it is autocracy that will dominate. It is the question whether there is the right of might dominating or whether it is the rule of law.

And therefore, this is the reason why, together with Justin Trudeau, with Hugh Evans – and thank you very much Mr President, for hosting it here – we said that they stand up for our freedom, so we stand up for Ukraine. This is the reason why we are here today. And we want to rally the world for refugees, inside and outside Ukraine, to support them. So I hope that many, many people will join.

I want to thank Global Citizen for really activating and mobilising so many artists, sports people and celebrities. Mr President, I want to thank you for hosting us, because this is the country that is hosting two million refugees from Ukraine. So many people are here, who support. Thank you very much for that and let us have a fantastic result for Ukraine.

Interventions

Q1 Europe has come together in an unprecedented way to support those coming from Ukraine to the bloc. You have activated the [EU Civil] Protection Mechanism and offered direct support to Ukraine itself. Can you tell us a little bit more about those efforts to date, as you stand in solidarity with Ukraine?

President von der Leyen: Yes, indeed, there are four million people, that fled Ukraine, right now in the European Union, and there are six and a half million people within Ukraine who fled the war and they need help. They need urgently help. Here, in the European Union, it means that we have immediately triggered the protection for them that gives them citizens' rights. So from day one: access to schools, to housing, to healthcare, and of course to the labour market. But of course, they need much, much more. They need support. The Member States are doing an outstanding job. It is phenomenal. The NGOs are working on the ground. The communities, the local communities, are outstanding in receiving the refugees. But as I said, more is needed. And any pledge will help a refugee, here, in the European Union. But also, and this is so important: Any pledge will help a person that is internally displaced, so who has lost their home because of the bombing and shelling of Putin's army within Ukraine. Yesterday, when I spoke with President Zelenskyy, he urged me again to, first of all, ask for pledges for Ukraine refugees in Ukraine but also to be very clear for those who had to flee Ukraine, that they are welcome here. It is wonderful to have them here and we want to give them shelter and support, and help as much as possible. But President Zelenskyy was also hoping that, pretty soon, you might be able to come back and help rebuild the country. What I want to say is that Europe stands by your side. And I know that Justin Trudeau – I have spoken with him many, many times about it – is fully determined, also with Canada. We stand by your side, be it now in the times of war; be it with the refugees; but most importantly, after this war has been won by Ukraine, for the time for reconstruction and rebuilding the country. So our motto is really: Slava Ukraini.

Q2 We know that conflict is one of the greatest threats to education. And according to UNICEF, more than 350,000 children in Ukraine have already lost access to education. So Madam President, my question to you is this: How do we ensure that this does not become the last issue that gets funded and that we do not end up with a generation of displaced youth with a lost education and compromised health?

President von der Leyen: Yes, indeed, this is one of the most pressing questions because many, many of the refugees are young children and they need immediately access to schools. And of course, children need other children, so they need to be with their peer groups. And therefore, the pledging here is also about supporting the Member States who have refugees and children. I was travelling to Kyiv with the Slovak Prime Minister, and he told me that, in the last four weeks, they got 700 children that need immediately access to kindergarten, for example. Also, you need teachers, you need classrooms, very practical things, very down-to-earth. And therefore, it is so necessary that we support them in that but also in health issues. The normal access to healthcare is important, but we have, for example, many that come that are not vaccinated, not only against COVID-19 but also the basic vaccinations that you normally get in your childhood. So this has to be done. Or there are many that come that have other diseases which are normally not so present in the population. So the access to healthcare is eminent and extremely important. All these are topics where the Member States are really doing a great job and doing their utmost to accommodate. But the more support they get the better. And then, there is a last point. I just wanted to refer to Arina's last comment. Arina, you are so right. Arina wanted to tell us, rightly so, that of course, we are now speaking about the refugees. But we also have to be very clear towards Putin that this cannot be, this aggression. And therefore, we are imposing heavy sanctions on Putin and his war machine to really dry out that – economic sanctions, financial sanctions. And Arina is right, what we have to do is get rid of the fossil fuel dependency from Russia. This is for us so important. So, we got out of coal. We are looking into oil. And Arina, what we have to do is not only diversify away from the Russian fossil fuel but we also need massive investment in renewables. This is not only good for a strategic investment in independence but it is, of course, also good for our climate and for our planet. So, many, many tasks to look at. And I just wanted to support you on that point, Arina, it is a very important one.

Q3 Many across the globe, are becoming increasingly aware of the wider impacts of this conflict on the global food supply. In fact, their estimates are of up to 500 million people potentially facing food insecurity as a result. So with that in mind, what actions can the EU and the European Community take to prioritise this issue and basically prevent or certainly minimise a global food crisis?

President von der Leyen: Yes, indeed, besides the incredible human suffering that this war brings along and the unbelievable atrocities that we see, there are knock-on effects, for example on global food security. Ukraine is basically the wheat chamber of the world. And now, it is becoming more and more difficult for the farmers in Ukraine to sow and to have the next harvest. And if you see the figures of how many countries, in the global south for example, are dependent on the export of wheat from Ukraine, it is a very, very serious problem. And it is even more serious because, yesterday, the Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, told me in Kyiv that Putin's army is now systematically bombing warehouses, where grain and wheat is stored. Or for example, Ukraine needs to export the wheat by ships, usually, so he is blocking these ships in the Black Sea, therefore increasing the pressure on the food system. So the first thing that we have offered is: ‘Listen, Ukraine, then take the land route and we will create so-called green corridors, so that these transports for wheat can go along through different borders – it is a longer land route, but at least get the wheat out and get some income in, without any difficulties through these green lanes. We do everything possible to support the Ukrainian farmers who need everything to sow, that they can do their work under very difficult circumstances because of their safety. But they are willing to risk their lives, really, to produce the wheat that the world needs. We are giving now EUR 2.5 billion into the global food security, but I know that more will be needed. Because if I look at the numbers, I mean, Ukraine is a major part of the World Food Programme, for example. So this is one of the ugly knock-on effects of this horrible war and one more reason to do everything to end this war.

Closing remarks by President von der Leyen at the global pledging event ‘Stand Up For Ukraine'

Thank you so much, Isha, thank you very much for a splendid moderation, thank you very much. And many, many thanks to you, Hugh, at Global Citizen for, again, standing up for those, who need a strong voice. Those, who we often do not see, do not hear and mobilising, rallying the world, and pushing us politicians hard and the leaders hard. That is your job and it is wonderful to see that.

And Justin, many, many thanks for being a fantastic co-host. It would not have been possible without you. And thank you for your determination, whenever I meet you in our G7 meetings, for example, your intensity of your beliefs and the strength with which you are fighting for the refugees and their needs – I really want to thank you for that.

And when I look into this room here, I know that there are many refugees here in the room. And looking into your eyes and thinking about your thoughts and the fears that you might have, I just want to tell you that we stand by you. I want to thank the citizens, the many, many people who just opened their hearts and their minds, and their doors and want to help you and comfort you. Because they know that the question how we act today might one day also be a question where they need help, and then hope to find citizens that open their minds and hearts and doors for them. And therefore, thank you all for stepping up for Ukraine.

I am very curious what the pledges will bring, and you have seen many, many European Leaders that have pledged for their country. We always speak of Team Europe, these are the 27 Member States and the European Commission. So we will see what the 27 Member States have pledged. But I can only announce today, for the European Commission, that we want to pledge EUR 1 billion, EUR 600 million of those will go to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian authorities, and partially to the United Nations, so that the Ukrainian authorities, who know exactly who is in need, can distribute that. And EUR 400 million will go to the frontline states that are doing such an outstanding job and helping the refugees that are coming.

And the final tally: The world has finally pledged EUR 9.1 billion through this campaign. And, in addition, the Commission, working with EBRD, adds another EUR 1 billion for the IDPs in Ukraine. This is fantastic, so EUR 10.1 billion. And if you say that in dollars, it is even more.