Taiwan donates US$1 million to aid Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's government on Wednesday pledged to donate a further US$1 million to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The "Polish Cities in Ukraine - Taiwan Grant Fund" was announced by Taiwan's representative to Poland Sharon Wu (吳尚年) during a signing ceremony in Warsaw with the Mayor of Białystok Tadeusz Truskolaski and the Mayor of Poznań Jacek Jaśkowia, MOFA said in a press release.

Truskolaski concurrently serves as chair of the Union of Polish Metropolises, an organization representing the cities of Warsaw, Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Lublin, Łódź, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin and Wrocław.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on Wednesday, the project will support Polish local governments and nongovernmental organizations helping Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

The money will also be used to create a better environment in preparation for their ultimate return to Ukraine once the country's war with Russia has ended, the agreement states.

In her address, Wu said the Taiwan Grant Fund is an expression of Taiwan's strong commitment and concern for Ukraine and the latest milestone in cooperation and joint efforts to build partnerships with Polish local governments and nongovernmental organizations.

"I look forward to further cooperation with the Union of Polish Metropolises through the Fund's platform and cooperation in defending democracy, freedom and human rights," she said.

Truskolaski, meanwhile, noted that Poland had taken in more than 3 million Ukrainian refugees since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022, adding he appreciated Taiwan's continued assistance.

Since February 2022, Taiwan's government has donated more than US$40 million, and 600 tons of necessities including medical supplies have been donated, according to the MOFA.