Mayor's Statement on the Attack of Ukraine and Ways to Help with the Humanitarian Response

February 28, 2022

The City of Courtenay is deeply concerned about Russia’s unprovoked, unconscionable and unacceptable attacks on Ukraine. As Russian forces are attacking Ukraine, killing innocent citizens and disrupting lives, we stand in solidarity and strength with our local Ukrainian community and the people from and of Ukraine.  

We join the Prime Minister, BC Premier John Horgan and other local governments in condemning and calling for an immediate end to this illegal and unjust war and we echo the international community’s calls for de-escalation and an immediate resolution. 

Although we are physically far away from the conflict, we are not without power, and there are things we can do to help the people of Ukraine and what is anticipated to be a large humanitarian crisis:

  1. The Government of Canada is matching donations from Canadians to the Canadian Red Cross in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine up to $10 million dollars.

  2. The Canada-Ukraine Foundation is raising money on GoFundMe and is encouraging people to use #HelpUkraineNow on social media. As of Thursday, the organization had raised more than $1.25 million to help Ukrainian families displaced by the bombing.

  3. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress also accepts donations on its website at ucc.ca.

  4. Charitable Foundation Voices of Children helps children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine. You can donate at voices.org.ua.

  5. On Facebook, United Help Ukraine is asking for donations for medical aid and humanitarian relief for the front lines.

#HelpUkraineNow