The city of Äänekoski is involved in humanitarian support for Ukraine
The military attack on Ukraine launched by Russia on February 24.2.2022, XNUMX and the ongoing full-scale war have caused great human suffering in Ukraine. The city of Äänekoski wants to support Ukraine and its citizens in the humanitarian crisis caused by the war.
On March 7.3.2022, 20, the Äänekoski city government decided to donate 000 euros to UNICEF Finland for humanitarian aid for Ukraine and Ukrainians. The donation amount is about one euro per inhabitant. The city council granted an appropriation for the matter on March 14.3.2022, XNUMX. It was stated at the meeting that with the donation we want to help the people suffering in the war and show that we care.
Founded in 1946, the United Nations children's organization UNICEF has extensive and long-term experience in helping children affected by war and its consequences. UNICEF also helped Finnish children in 1947-1951. There are already an estimated 2,8 million people who fled the war in Ukraine. UNICEF is supporting them along the escape route, it is on the ground to help and protect the children, and it is constantly sending more aid supplies to the area.
UNICEF has been working in Ukraine for 25 years, since 1997. Even before the war spread around the country, emergency aid supplies had been placed so that the aid would reach the internal refugees. Since the end of February, UNICEF has delivered health supplies for children and mothers to 20 hospitals in the five worst affected regions.
Last weekend, a new emergency aid delivery arrived in Ukraine with a total of 168 tons of emergency aid supplies: surgical instruments needed in hospitals, oxygen concentrators, equipment needed for childbirth, water, sanitation and hygiene kits, learning materials for school children and early childhood education, winter clothes and blankets. In addition to emergency aid deliveries, UNICEF has Psychosocial Support, Teaching and Early Childhood Education Teams on the move helping traumatized children and providing school education. UNICEF has also established a child protection hotline and child-friendly facilities along the most common escape routes to neighboring countries, so that refugees can get help and children and mothers can find safe facilities.

For more information:
Administrative Director Aleksi Heikkilä, 040 823 7921, aleksi.heikkila@aanekoski.fi
Lena Jolkkonen, head of volunteering at UNICEF, 043 820 0905, lena.jolkkonen@unicef.fi
News published 16.3.2022