Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb is urging local people to give money to aid Ukraine as sending supplies is causing logistical problems in the region.

The Ukrainian Ambassador told MPs in parliament this week that the best way to help was to donate money so supplies could be bought in bordering countries such as Poland as the country fights off the Russian invasion.
 
Dealing with huge amounts of food, clothes, toys and other supplies from the UK, although well meaning, is causing extra work on the border sorting the parcels out as well as clogging up vital supply routes which are being used to deliver food, medicines and military equipment.
 
Ms Webb is instead urging anyone who wants to help to donate to the Disaster Emergency Fund. The UK Government has agreed to match the public’s donations pound-for-pound up to £20m. 
 
People can also donate to any of the numerous NGOs and charities that are already working on the ground. They have also asked for cash donations rather than goods. Suzanne said:
 
“The response from the people of Stourbridge to the appalling situation in Ukraine has been magnificent and I know people want to collect goods and send them on and I thank everyone for doing this but Ukraine borders quite a few affluent EU countries.

"There are plenty of goods in the shops there. What is really needed is the money to buy supplies so they can be shipped the shorter distances into Ukraine to help people there or to help those who have fled the fighting in places like Poland.
 
“Right now, the best way to assist the people of Ukraine is through a cash donation.”