The initiative “Neighbors in Need” had the most successful start of an aid campaign after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The ORF began calling for help on February 24th. Since then, more than 95 million euros in donations have been collected in the first ten months.
With the 95 million – 41.96 million of which came from the doubling of the federal government – 52 aid projects with a budget of 59.2 million euros have been implemented since the end of February. 13 have already been completed, which concerned emergency aid at the beginning of the war.
More than 60,000 benefited from aid
In the autumn, additional emphasis was placed on winter aid and the population was supplied with generators, stoves, heating material and blankets.
More than 600,000 people have benefited from the aid projects: 530,000 in Ukraine itself, 45,000 in the Republic of Moldova, 17,000 in Romania and 8,000 in Poland. “Neighbors in Need” expects a longer-lasting relief campaign and hopes for the solidarity of the Austrians.
“Sign of Solidarity”
“As the media platform of ‘Neighbors in Need’, it goes without saying that ORF supports the appeals for donations in all of its media and state studios in the best possible way,” said ORF Director General Roland Weißmann.
The ORF director of “Neighbors in Need”, Pius Strobl, said: “The amount of help that has been provided since February for the people affected by the war in Ukraine thanks to the willingness of many donors to donate is an impressive sign of solidarity in our country .”
And further: “Under the motto ‘quick help is double help’, it is important to the ORF to continue to use spots on radio and television and to raise awareness among the public with regular reporting on the life of the Ukrainians.”