A convoy of aid may be leaving Monaco and heading towards the Ukraine in the upcoming days to provide first-hand support for people who have been devastated by the war. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has been going on for one entire, gruelling, heart-breaking month. And Monaco’s Red Cross has been providing aid and support for the Ukrainian population since the very beginning.
Now, teams in Monaco are waiting for the green light to be dispatched to the neighbouring countries of Poland, Romania, Hungary or Moldova, where large logistics hubs have been set up in hangars stocked with food and supplies by the International Federation of the Red Cross. About ten people from the Monegasque Red Cross are currently ready to mobilize. According to Claude Fabbretti, director of humanitarian response and first aid for the Monaco Red Cross, teams are waiting to see where they would be needed most from the International Red Cross.
Record-breaking 1.5 million euros raised by the Monegasque Red Cross
One month ago, the Monegasque Red Cross released 80,000 euros of aid for Ukraine and launched an appeal for donations in the Principality. To date, the amount of donations received has reached an unbelievable 1.5 million euros, or a record-breaking 40 euros per inhabitant. Out of the 1.5 million euros, 700,000 euros went directly to support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 250,000 euros went to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFCR).
110 refugees welcomed
Locally, the Monegasque Red Cross has been welcoming refugees within a coordination unit created at the request of Prince Albert II. In total, counting refugees settled in municipalities bordering the Principality, the Monegasque Red Cross has helped 110 people since the start of the war, with financial assistance, food parcels and administrative assistance. French language courses for adults are also available at the Monegasque Red Cross Headquarters.
Supporting Ukraine through Cultural Events in Monaco
Cultural institutions all over the Principality has joined forces in support of Ukraine. Proceeds from the following events will be donated to the Monegasque Red Cross:
-The Monte Carlo Spring Arts Festival on 31 March at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, featuring a concert by the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra.
-Play by Edouard Baer ‘Les élucubrations d’un homme soudain frappé par la grâce’ on 7 April at the Princess-Grace Theatre.
-The Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra on 8 April at the Rainier III Auditorium with a concert by Maria João Pires, conducted by Kazuki Yamada.
-Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo on 28 April at the Grimaldi Forum, with the premiere of the show ‘Oeil pour Oeil’.
-Circus and dance show ‘My Land’ on 10 June at the Grimaldi Forum
How Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo has been mobilized for Ukraine
The Ballets de Monte-Carlo has been supporting Ukraine in many ways. A personal statement by Ballets de Monte-Carlo choreographer Jean Christophe Maillot informed Vladimir Urin, director of the Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, that he has suspended the rights to his ballet interpretation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, which was created in 2014 for the Bolshoi Theatre. The Ballets de Monte-Carlo recently sent one of their vehicles and a staff member to transport equipment to the Ukrainian border, in collaboration with Humanitarian Aid from the Firefighters of Grasse-Menton. The Ballets welcomed a young 15-year-old Ukrainian dancer, who fled the country, into the Company. The Académie Princesse-Grace, the dance school of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, also welcomed three other young Ukrainian students, aged 13 to 17.
To make a donation to the Monegasque Red Cross, visit: www.croix-rouge.mc/faire-un-don
