News OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Maggie Nelmes, Ventnor. Ed
I applaud the empathy and generosity of town and parish councils and community groups who have set up collection points across the island for donated supplies to send to the Ukrainian people.
But I am concerned to read in articles in the academic journal The Conversation, a trusted online source, that what Ukrainians need is money, not supplies.
Our donations are adding to road congestion and carbon emissions
I understand that food, toiletries and medicines, sleeping bags, toys etc. are available in Poland and other bordering countries. We do not need to transport them across Europe, adding to road congestion and carbon emissions.
Following the mass exodus of Polish workers to the UK when Poland joined the European Union, Ukrainians were invited to fill the labour shortage in Poland.
Our donated goods are likely to end up in landfill
Now Ukrainian men have returned to fight for their homeland, there is a shortage of warehouse workers and lorry drivers to distribute the supplies that are flooding in.
Foreign lorries are piling up, causing road congestion, and warehouses are full. Our donated goods are likely to end up in landfill.
What Ukraine needs is money
Most Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Poland are staying with family there. They have no shortage of food, toiletries and medical supplies.
What Ukraine needs is money. We can donate through many charities.
Please don’t waste money on unwanted supplies and only add to Poland’s logistical problems. Show your love by donating to charities that are there at the borders or inside Ukraine, providing food and medicines where they are needed.
How to donate
If you want to donate money, there are a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
The UK Government will match public donations to this appeal pound-for-pound up to £25 million.
