Several of the aid organizations TV 2 has been in contact with are overwhelmed by the commitment people in Norway show towards the war victims in Ukraine. This morning, the Norwegian Red Cross had passed NOK 95 million collected.
– It is overwhelming, it is very touching that people have such a great commitment, says marketing manager Nina Larsen to TV 2.
The Red Cross raised 400 million in connection with the Tsunami in 2004, and not since then has the Red Cross raised so much in an emergency fundraiser in such a short time.
– OVERWHELMED: Marketing Manager Nina Larsen in the Norwegian Red Cross Photo: Private
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– We get reports that children hold bazaars, we have Nerd-Aid and some hold concerts.
– What do you think is the reason why there is such a great willingness to donate to those affected by the crisis in Ukraine?
– Delivery by emergency aid arrives in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Photo: Annalisa Ausilio / Italy Red Cross / NTB
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– I think it is perceived as very close and it is very brutal, says Larsen.
– Norwegians are very good at giving when people are affected and now the heart is extra big.
Much of the funds raised come in via Vipps and Spleis. According to the Red Cross, these fees do not apply
Selling their toys
– It is very touching to see that there is such a great commitment, says director of politics and society in Save the Children, Gunvor Knag Fylkesnes. So far, they have collected NOK 23.5 million.
– I have never seen a great commitment.
She believes the enormous joy of giving we see now is a result of the conflict being so close to us and that many know someone in Ukraine.
– It is very frightening and shocking what we see on the news. It’s so massive and violent. It is impossible not to be affected.
– RØRT: Gunvor Knag Fylkesnes, director of politics and society at Save the Children, has not previously experienced that so much money has been collected in such a short time. Photo: Nora Lie / Save the Children
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Save the Children receives a number of inquiries from both children and adults.
– There are children who want to sell their toys, hold bazaars or hold fundraisers, says Knag Fylkesnes.
– It is very good for children to be able to contribute and feel that they mean a difference. It is a good way to handle the commitment for those who suffer during the war.
Fear of orphanage children
What is happening in Ukraine has clearly affected many, writes Secretary General Sissel Aarak in SOS Children’s Villages in an e-mail to TV 2. They have so far collected 63 million kroner.
– AFFECTS MANY: Sissel Aarak, Secretary General of SOS Children’s Villages Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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– We pay special attention to the 64,000 foster children and almost 100,000 children who live in institutions in the country and who now risk being left entirely to themselves, writes Asbøll.
– Employees evacuate with their families, or they simply do not get out of the bomb rooms and at work. These are the most vulnerable children who do not have the opportunity to get out of hiding or out of the country on their own.
Selling art
The Norwegian Refugee Council has so far received more than NOK 50 million.
– We are extremely grateful for the joy of giving and the care people in Norway now show for Ukrainians on the run, writes leader of the media unit, Tiril Skarstein, in the Norwegian Refugee Council to TV 2.
– Donations are flowing in via Facebook, newsletters, Vipps and from companies and municipalities.
NRC is concerned that people must contribute money instead of things and clothes.
– As far as possible, we use the markets in the areas where we work. We also want to primarily help people with emergency aid in the form of cash, where the markets work, because the displaced people like to know best what they need, Skarstein writes.
– Some people choose to contribute money in creative ways and we also really appreciate that. Kjøpmannsgata Ung Kunst in Trondheim has, for example, sold art for income for the Norwegian Refugee Council, Chess24 has held a chess tournament and many municipalities are now taking part in a municipal charity event.
Sets up reception centers
UNICEF also notices the commitment. They have so far collected 41.5 million kroner.
– We have sent 62 tonnes of emergency aid in the form of water, medicines, blankets and warm clothes, says communications director at UNICEF, Jean-Yves Gallardo.
UNICEF has 140 staff in Ukraine who now staff mobile aid units along the escape routes in Ukraine. At the borders, they are now in the process of setting up more Blue Dots which are centers that will receive children and families.
Collection box on mobile
Vipps has set up a joint Vipps number (2170) for donations to six of the largest aid organizations in Norway.
– So far, NOK 5.5 million has been received on the joint Vipps number, says press contact Even Westerveld in Vipps.
– DIGITAL COLLECTION BOX: Press contact Even Westerveld in Vipps. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB scanpix
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– We have turned several of Norway’s largest shopping apps into collection boxes for Ukraine. Among other things, Rema1000 has entered the tilt number in its Æ app. This number now brings in several hundred thousand kroner an hour.
We expect this number to increase during the help concert tonight, says Westerveld.
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