On July 4-5, 2022, the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URС 2022) began in the city of Lugano.
First of all, the Conference plans to highlight the progress of reforms in Ukraine and discuss further reform priorities.
Considering the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine and Switzerland have jointly decided to continue organizing the conference, but to focus on a higher priority in the current situation.
Millions of refugees, the threat of world hunger, the energy crisis - the war in Ukraine, launched by President Putin and lasting more than three months, has had dramatic consequences for the entire world.
For Ukrainians, February 24 has lasted more than three months.
The Ukrainian people are holding their ground and are holding on thanks to our friends and partners from all over the world.
Three days - that's how long Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to take over Ukraine.
We are trying to continue our work and to help all categories of people in need: displaced people who were forced to leave their destroyed homes, mothers with children, widows, the elderly and the wounded.
Our dear people who do not know me and our Team so well, but still believe us, want and can continue to help refugees and IDPs, children and families together with us from Irpin, Bucha, Kherson, Mariupol, Kyiv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as from other cities and villages of Ukraine, in which the occupation by Russian soldiers takes place.
The places inhabited by civilians who want to live in their own country.
The 54th day of our defense against the Russian invasion is coming to an end. The Russian army is not slowing down the use of missiles against Ukraine. Although it should have realized that it will be extremely difficult for it to restore the missile arsenal given even already imposed sanctions. Without imports, they can't even do that. And when all the loopholes used to circumvent sanctions are closed, and when even tougher sanctions are imposed, restoring Russia's missile capabilities will be unrealistic. That is, Russian missile strikes lead to only one thing - missile self-demilitarization of the Russian Federation.
We would like to inform you today that by the decision of the mayor of Slavutych – Yuri Fomichev, as well as the deputies and community of the City of Slavutych – the Member of the Swiss Parliament, Director General of GREEN CROSS Switzerland Martin Bäumle became an Honorary Citizen of Slavutych on March 17, 2022 and is awarded the Order "For a significant contribution to the rescue people's lives in wartime in Ukraine".
Martin Bäumle noted that this is an honor not only for him, but a great honor for all of us in Switzerland and the merit of the board of directors and trustees of the GCCH, sponsors and donors, as well as every citizen in Switzerland, who continue to believe in us, in the Ukrainian people, and in Ukraine. People who can now give support by expressing their solidarity and providing financial aid for families and volunteers who are doing everything to save and alleviate the suffering of children and the needy category of the population in Ukraine.
Also, Martin Bäumle noted – "we would like to continue to help and strengthen the position of Switzerland as a leading world economic center and partner and contribute to improving the quality of life of people not only in our country. I am grateful to our entire Team in Switzerland and the Team in Ukraine for their solidarity and work” – Martin Bäumle noted in his speech during the next coordination meeting.
Since February 24, 2022, the life of every Ukrainian has changed forever. There is a real humanitarian catastrophe in most cities and villages. There is no well-established supply of raw materials, medicines and food. Many people are in life-threatening areas and need urgent evacuation. According to WHO, the current estimated number of victims is 18 million people, of which 6.7 million are internally displaced persons as a result of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. The invasion caused a migration crisis. According to the UN, 3 million refugees fled Ukraine, including 1.4 million children.
Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH) found an opportunity to help, showed solidarity and financially supported the needy category of people in Ukraine. Thanks to a stable partnership, in 2022 Green Cross Ukraine (GCU) has been actively providing humanitarian assistance to the population suffering as a result of the invasion of Russian troops on the territory of all Ukraine. Timely consultations and negotiations had an impact on further directions in new areas for the implementation of humanitarian work in Ukraine. Regions and problematic issues were identified, which were urgently and promptly resolved thanks to coordination and agreements that had a positive impact on assistance to families and children in certain regions of Ukraine (Zhytomyr, Chernihiv regions, the city of Slavutych, the city of Kyiv and the Kyiv region).
