Ukraine conflict: DEC appeal raises almost £6.5m in Wales

Cardiff-born Jeremy Bowen was on the frontline in Irpin, as residents came under Russian fire while trying to flee.

Almost £6.5m has been raised in Wales, including £4m from the Welsh government, for people caught up in the conflict in Ukraine.

The money has been pledged to the Disaster Emergency Committee's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal with 1.5 million people fleeing the country in days.

Meanwhile, up to 500 volunteers have been helping to ship a mountain of donated goods at warehouses in Wrexham.

But one charity chief said cash would be more beneficial than goods.

"With money we are able to buy things cheaper and in bulk, blankets, tents, medical kits, hygiene support and emergency food parcels," said Sarah Rees, head of Oxfam Cymru.

Meanwhile the Welsh government confirmed it is discussing the possibility of flying Ukrainian refugees into Cardiff Airport.

It comes amid confusion over whether the UK government - which controls immigration policy - will widen its Ukrainian refugee programme.

On Sunday it emerged only 50 had been given visas. Home Secretary Priti Patel has told The Sun she is examining "legal options" to grant humanitarian access to people "without ties to the UK".

Volunteers in Wrexham spent the weekend sorting donated items for people affected by the invasion

DEC Cymru chairwoman Melanie Simmonds said the money pledged was an "amazing show of support for people fleeing the conflict".

"I want to thank everyone who has donated to help us support them in their moment of greatest need," she said.

UK donations have topped £100m, with £25m from the UK government, said the DEC which brings together a number of UK aid charities including the British Red Cross, Save the Children and Oxfam.

Charities on the ground have urged people to show their support through cash donations rather by giving specific items, it said.

"As the conflict continues, we are seeing more and more people having to flee their homes to keep themselves safe," said Ms Simmonds.

"We're expecting the numbers crossing the border to keep increasing in the coming days."

Welsh Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt has also encouraged individuals who want to donate to make a financial donation to DEC.

In a statement to the Senedd she said donations of physical goods are "presenting logistical difficulties both here and abroad".

DEC Cymru chairwoman Melanie Simmonds: "We're expecting the numbers crossing the border to keep increasing"

The money will be used to bulk buy a range of supplies, including medical kits, tents, blankets, emergency food parcels.

The Polish Integration Support Centre in Wrexham has been collecting donated goods from as far away as London, the Isle of Man and Scotland following a Facebook appeal.

Director Anna Buckley said it was working with the Polish government at how to ship all the donations to the Ukrainian border - both by lorry and possibly via air freight.

"We have Russians who came to help us, Ukrainians who came to help us, so everyone together," she said.

Separately, the Welsh government said on Monday it was in discussions with Cardiff Airport about "the feasibility of flying Ukrainian refugees directly into Wales".

"However, the UK government is responsible for borders and immigration policy, and we continue to urge them to do more to provide sanctuary for those fleeing the atrocities in Ukraine."

The Home Office said it could not discuss "operational matters".

A UK government spokesperson said: "Last week we announced a new sponsorship route which will allow Ukrainians with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored to come to the UK.

"This is alongside our Ukraine Family Scheme, which has already seen thousands of people apply, as well as changes to visas so that people can stay in the UK safely.  

"The routes we have put in place follow extensive engagement with Ukrainian partners. This is a rapidly moving and complex picture and as the situation develops we will continue to keep our support under constant review.

Meanwhile Wizz Air said it has no plans to charter flights for Ukrainian refugees to Cardiff Airport, despite suggestions in the Commons otherwise.

Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake had said: "The airline Wizz Air has offered to fly Ukrainian refugees from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. There are indications that Cardiff Airport could be a destination for some of these flights".

However a spokeswoman for Wizz Air said the firm "has no plans to charter flights for Ukrainian refugees into Cardiff Airport. We currently do not operate flights out of Cardiff, and our base there is due to open in April".

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