The government on Wednesday pledged to donate a further US$1 million to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The “Polish Cities in Ukraine, Taiwan Grant Fund” was announced by Representative to Poland Sharon Wu (吳尚年) during a ceremony in Warsaw with Bialystok Mayor Tadeusz Truskolaski and Poznan Mayor Jacek Jaskowia, the ministry said in a press release.
Truskolaski is chairman of the Union of Polish Metropolises, an organization representing Warsaw, Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Gdansk, Katowice, Krakow, Lublin, Lodz, Poznan, Rzeszow, Szczecin and Wroclaw.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
According to a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday, the project is to support Polish local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGO) helping Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
The money would also be used to help prepare for their ultimate return to Ukraine once the country’s war with Russia has ended, it says.
Wu said in a speech that the Taiwan Grant Fund is an expression of the nation’s strong commitment and concern for Ukraine, and the latest milestone in cooperation and joint efforts to build partnerships with Polish local governments and NGOs.
“I look forward to further cooperation with the Union of Polish Metropolises through the fund’s platform, and cooperation in defending democracy, freedom and human rights,” she said.
Poland has taken in more than 3 million Ukrainian refugees since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February last year, Truskolaski said, adding that he appreciated Taiwan’s continued assistance.
Since February last year, the government has donated more than US$40 million, and 600 tonnes of necessities, including medical supplies, the ministry said.
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