The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" has been created by the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), Ukrainian-American Coordinating Council (UACC), U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) coalition, to raise money and in-kind support from individuals, institutions, organizations and businesses for the people, homes and villages in Western Ukraine hit in late July by what officials are calling the worst rainstorms in a century, according to an USUBC press-release forwarded to UNIAN.
At least 38 people including six children were killed in late July by a massive flood that hit the Vinnitsa, Trans-Carpathian, Ivano-Frankovsk, Lvov, and Chernovtsy regions. Hundreds of towns and villages were flooded, with more than 40,000 houses affected and thousands of people evacuated, officials said. Some 655 settlements, and over 57,000 hectares of farmland were washed out by the floods. The Ivano-Frankovsk region suffered the most.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency, more than 422 miles (679 km) of highways and roads and more than 900 bridges were destroyed in the storms, leaving more than 300 towns and villages without electricity, downing communication lines, and blocking food access routes throughout five regions of western Ukraine.
Ukraine President & US Ambassador encourage support
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has called on international governments, organizations and businesses for major assistance. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, has encouraged U.S. businesses and individuals working in Ukraine to provide funds and in-kind donations for emergency and longer term rebuilding assistance.
The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" coalition will meet with U.S. Ambassador Taylor in Washington on Thursday to discuss the flood damage as assessed by U.S. Embassy personal, the U.S. government response and how the U.S. private for-profit and not-for-profit sector can work together with the U.S. government and the Ukraine government to provide effective assistance.
"Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" accepting donations now
The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" is now accepting donations. To make a donation, please go to www.usukraine.org/donate.shtml. Scroll down the page and mark your donation for the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund."
Checks can be made out to the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund/USUF" and mailed to the Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund, %U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, 1701 K. Street, NW, Suite 903, Washington, D.C. 20006.
The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" will be managed by the four major organizations in the coalition to see that the funds donated by individuals, institutions, organizations and businesses are used responsibly and effectively.
"Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" management
The four organizations in the coalition are represented in the management of the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" by:
[1] Dr. Zenia Chernyk, Representative, Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA) ;
[2] Ihor Gawdiak, President, Ukrainian-American Coordinating Council (UACC), and
[3] Nadia K. McConnell, President, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF).[4] Morgan Williams, SigmaBleyzer, President, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC);
Financial reporting for the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" will be managed by John Kun, Senior Vice-President and COO, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF). The uses of the fund will be transparent and published.
Anyone wishing to donate in Ukraine, make an in-kind donation, needing another way to donate or needing additional information should contact John Kun, USUF, , or Morgan Williams, USUBC.
Please donate now to assist the people of Western Ukraine in the rebuilding of their lives, homes and villages. Your support is needed.===========================================================
Mr. E. Morgan Williams, DirectorGovernment Affairs, Washington Office
SigmaBleyzer Private Equity Investment Group;
President, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC);
Trustee: "Holodomor: Through The Eyes of Ukrainian Artists"
1701 K Street, NW, Suite 903, Washington, D.C. 20006
Telephone: 202 437 4707
