Funds from SOS Kyiv appeal begin helping frost-hit Ukraine

Money raised in the SOS Kyiv emergency appeal has begun reaching people in frost-hit parts of Ukraine, with more than CZK 100 million collected since Wednesday. Volunteers have been ordering and purchasing generators for hospitals and households, along with backup batteries and basic outdoor equipment such as heating pads, to provide rapid assistance, organisers said.

Martin Ondráček from the organising initiative Gift for Putin (Dárek pro Putina) said the priority is to deliver help as quickly as possible to where it is most needed. Czech President Petr Pavel described the amount raised as an extraordinary result, saying it shows the Czech public’s ability to demonstrate solidarity in difficult times and target support effectively.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also praised the support from Czech citizens and non-governmental organisations over the weekend.