MOFA Minister Wu unveils US$4M in Ukraine donations during videoconference...

2022/06/02

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu announced US$4 million in donations for Ukraine on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan during a videoconference held May 31 with Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
Comprising US$2 million for Kharkiv—the second-largest metropolis in Ukraine—and US$500,000 each for municipalities of Chernihiv, Mykolaiev, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, the donations will be used to rebuild schools and essential infrastructure. Recipient cities, severely damaged by Russia’s invasion, are situated on the front lines in the eastern and southern parts of the East European country.
 
Wu said the people of Taiwan sympathize with the plight of those affected by the war. Taiwan, which has long faced threats and coercion from China, seeks to convey solidarity, support and extend a helping hand, he added.
 
Terekhov, who responded by thanking Taiwan for its love and charitable acts, said the financial assistance would help children return to school as soon as possible. It also represents the strongest possible display of political support for Ukraine, he added.
 
Ukraine’s children and citizens will one day understand the extent of Taiwan’s assistance, Terekhov said. Taiwan is a true friend of Ukraine, and it is hoped Wu will accept an invitation to visit Kharkiv after the war so as to exchange views on the city’s reconstruction plans and strengthen bilateral cooperation, he added.
 
The videoconference is the second between Wu and a prominent Ukrainian municipal official. The first took place April 22 with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
 
According to the MOFA, Taiwan was quick to condemn Russia’s war of aggression and join international sanctions against the East European country and neighboring Belarus.
 
At the onset of the conflict, the government sent 27 tons of medical supplies for distribution by Poland’s Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency to refugees in the EU member state and Ukraine, as well as commenced shipment of 582 tons of humanitarian relief supplies donated by the people of Taiwan to European nations for delivery to Ukraine, the ministry said. In April, Taiwan donated US$5.8 million raised by the local private sector to seven Ukrainian medical institutions, including Kharkiv Urgent Surgery Institute, the MOFA added.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Minister Wu showed the resolve of #Taiwan's people to #StandWithUkraine during a call to #Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. He pledged school & key infrastructure rebuild donations for #Ukraine's No. 2 city, as well as #Chernihiv, #Mykolaiev, #Sumy & #Zaporizhzhia. #SlavaUkraini!” 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)