The Diplomat
The donation campaign that BBVA has launched in Spain among its employees, customers and non-customers has already exceeded two million euros, in addition to the one million euros donated by the bank. Almost 50,000 donors have joined this campaign for Ukraine.
The donation campaign, which is still active, is earmarked for initiatives launched by Unicef, UNHCR, the Red Cross and Médecins du Monde. The NGOs are focusing their efforts on providing essential humanitarian supplies and shelter to the displaced, as well as assistance to those who are unable to flee the country, and continue to appeal for donations.
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, estimates that so far more than 4.9 million people have been forced to leave Ukraine and there are 7.1 million displaced people inside the country. Some 12 million people could be in need of humanitarian assistance in the coming months.
For UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, “behind the cold statistics, there are millions of stories of separation, anguish and loss. Similarly, the lives and well-being of some 7.5 million children are at risk, according to UNICEF.
To collaborate through Bizum, simply access the application, click on ‘Contribute to a charitable cause’, enter the code of the chosen NGO and the amount you wish to contribute. On March 7, BBVA made transfers from private customers to Ukraine free of charge.
BBVA has also donated one million euros, a figure split 50/50 between Unicef and UNHCR. Both NGOs have the capacity to deliver aid on the ground, and have recognised experience in the challenges posed by this emergency, especially in mass migration of the population and their acquisition of refugee status; and in women and children who are unprotected or trapped in the conflict zone.
In addition, BBVA has offered the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration 200 housing units for refugees. The homes will be able to house up to 800 people and are distributed throughout Spain, although they are mainly located in Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia. BBVA is also studying other support measures for Ukrainian refugees to meet their needs, both immediate and those that may arise in the medium or long term.
