Zelenskyy calls on philanthropists to join United24 to rebuild Ukraine

IRYNA BALACHUK – SATURDAY, 4 JUNE 2022, 10:54

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has given a presentation on the United24 platform in Washington and called on philanthropists to help rebuild Ukraine, which has suffered the devastating effects of Russian aggression.

Source: Zelenskyy during the United24 presentation

Quote: "The Russian army is extremely brutal. It is trying not only to kill as many people as possible, but to destroy all life-sustaining infrastructure.

Bridges and roads, houses and hospitals, schools and businesses. Entire cities have been burnt down, [Russian - ed.] missiles have targeted universities and maternity hospitals. Russian troops leave only ruins in their wake."

Details: President Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukrainians "already, today" have to have somewhere to return to, which is why he initiated the creation of United24, a special platform to collect funds to support Ukraine.

According to Zelenskyy, those making donations will be able to decide how their money will be spent, whether that’s rebuilding the bridge in Irpin, the photograph of which has been shared across the entire world, purchasing medical equipment, or for other purposes. He added that the names of all those who donate money to rebuild Ukraine "will be indelibly etched in Ukraine’s history, the history of defending freedom and democracy."

Background: United24 is a fundraising platform. Its goal is to create a unified portal to raise money to support Ukraine.

United24 is raising funds to address three main issues: defence and demining; medical aid; and the rebuilding efforts.

The funds will go to accounts held at the National Bank of Ukraine.

As of 4 June, $51,330,630 has already been raised via United24.

Between 5 May and 3 June, $37,532,174 was spent on defence and demining and $906,856 on humanitarian and medical aid. United24’s current balance is $3,714,597.