Solidarity with Ukraine: the large-scale mobilisation of the Fondation de France network

On 28 February, the Fondation de France launched a fundraising appeal to help families affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Thanks to the tremendous outpouring of generosity from donors - individuals and companies alike - and from sheltered foundations, more than €5 million has already been raised.

Donate by cheque:
Fondation de France – Solidarité Ukraine
60 509 CHANTILLY CEDEX

Ten days after the start of the Russian military offensive in Ukraine, more than 2 million people have had to leave their country to flee the attacks and find refuge in neighbouring countries. On 28 February, the Fondation de France launched an appeal for donations Solidarity with Ukrainians to provide emergency aid to these refugees, mainly women and children, and the people who have remained in the country. This aid will be used in particular to help locally-based associations that provide basic support for families.

This donation appeal has been very successful and almost 23,000 donors have already responded. In ten days, more than 5 million euros have been collected for the victims of the conflict. Several companies have also made significant donations. These include the Banque de France, Société Générale, Matmut, the RATP Group Foundation and Ebay.

The same spirit has been shown by sheltered foundations, which, like the Carasso Foundation, the Couleur Arc en Ciel Foundation and the JM Bruneau Foundation, are contributing to this movement of generosity.

In accordance with its emergency response principles, the Fondation de France has set up a committee of volunteer experts (diplomats, sociologists, experts in the voluntary sector and emergency operations, etc.) to identify areas for intervention and select actions to support. To ensure it provides the most appropriate response possible on the ground, a team from the Fondation de France went to Poland at the beginning of March to meet with local associations involved in welcoming refugees. “In Polish towns and cities, solidarity is organised because there is a strong network of associations. And local authorities are very involved in welcoming refugees. The issue will be long-term support and responding to needs such as support for children or psychological trauma. The situation is more chaotic at the borders, as well as in countries where associations are more difficult to identify, such as Moldova. We are also arranging to support associations in Ukraine, which are facing enormous needs, such as the delivery of medicines. Because this is a conflict, and therefore an incredibly uncertain situation which changes from day to day, our action must adapt to the needs of the moment and anticipate those that will arise in the coming weeks”, said Alexandre Giraud, Director of Patronage, on his return.

A team will travel to Romania at the end of the week to organise the necessary support on site.

Responding to the emergency and anticipating the aftermath

Two priorities for action have been identified. Firstly, responding to basic needs and psychosocial needs, by financially assisting locally-based associations that welcome refugees and displaced people, particularly in Poland, Moldavia, Romania and Ukraine.

Secondly, providing more sustainable support to these people affected, in terms of housing, education, legal aid, counselling and access to information. This work will be carried out in conjunction with the European foundations of the Network of European Foundations and the European Foundation Centre, and in particular those that belong to the EPIM European Programme for Integration and Migration and Civitates for Democracy in Europe.

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→ Solidarity with the Ukrainians: the Fondation de France takes action
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