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Katya, 12, and her mother Mira, 43, who fled the conflict in Ukraine last year.

Since the outbreak of conflict at the beginning of 2022, Freemasonry’s support for Ukraine through the MCF has surpassed £1 million. In that time, over six million Ukrainians have fled, and our donations to the British Red Cross have helped to house, feed, and reunite over 30,000 people seeking safety in the UK.

The British Red Cross provided us with a recent update on the impact we have made to the lives of displaced Ukrainians. Our donations were used to fund two main programmes: ‘Support for Ukrainian Refugees in the UK’ and ‘Reuniting Families’. We are incredible proud of the extensive support we have offered to families during the crisis, as well as the British Red Cross’ incredible efforts to welcome them into the UK.

Support for Ukrainian Refugees in the UK

Through our funding, the British Red Cross has established numerous teams at stations and airports across England to hand out resources and information to newly arrived families. This intervention has played a vital role in helping thousands of people settle into their new life in the UK.

The British Red Cross is the UK’s largest provider of refugee support services. So far, with our contributions, caseworkers have offered personalised and in-depth assistance to over 2,3000 Ukrainian refugees. These services include opening bank accounts, providing emergency cash, and helping refugees connect with their local community to build a stronger support network, ultimately helping them overcome feelings of isolation.

Through their National Support Line, the British Red Cross has taken over 73,000 calls from people who are confused, scared, and traumatised by the conflict. Our funding has provided crucial emotional support to help these individuals cope with the atrocities of the war; they found that 26 per cent of people calling felt nervous, anxious, or on edge every day. We are proud that we have not only helped fund practical help and access to vital resources, but also delivered emotional support to those who need it most.

Tony, from Derbyshire, who is hosting Karyna’s family.

Karyna’s family, originally from Mariupol in south-eastern Ukraine, includes a 51-year-old grandmother, a 33-year-old mother (Karyna), a seven-year-old girl, and an 18-month-old boy. The family received resources from the British Red Cross at their Ukrainian Centre in Derby, which included cash assistance and sim cards.

Reuniting Families

Thousands of families from Ukraine have been separated during the conflict and have had to flee across Europe to safety. In 2023 so far, the British Red Cross Family Reunion Service has facilitated the reunification of 141 families, bringing together 463 individuals whose lives we have helped to get back on track.

Once located, many of these families do not have the physical means to travel to their loved ones. Due to the cost of living crisis, flight ticket prices have increased by 67 per cent. Not only has the British Red Cross helped to find lost family members, it has also funded free travel to separated families to overcome the financial barriers of reuniting.

Caring for families with compassion has been central to what we have helped fund. Since there has been an influx of Ukrainian child cancer patients who have arrived at Great Ormand Street Hospital in London, the British Red Cross has allocated some of its resources to repatriating these patients. This has had great sentimental value to Ukrainian refugees as it has meant that families have reunited and spent their child’s final moments together. It has also allowed these children to be buried in their home country.

There is no limit to the practical and emotional impact that these programmes will have on displaced Ukrainians. We hope that our funding for the essential work of the British Red Cross will continue to change lives for the better.

OUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE