24 February 2023
Today, we observe the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Jersey stands united with the international community in its condemnation of this act of aggression and we continue to provide support to the Ukrainian people.
Jersey has welcomed 37 Ukrainian nationals to our Island as part the Family Visa Scheme, with one more expected shortly. The Ukrainian people have been a credit to themselves, their families, and their proud nation. We will continue to support them during their time of need.
This week, we provided monetary assistance through Jersey Overseas Aid who donated a further £400,000 to address critical energy needs for Ukrainian health facilities, including the provision of essential medical supplies and bomb disposal training. This takes the total funding committed by JOA, the Government, and the generosity of islanders through the Bailiffs Ukraine Appeal, to £3.1 million - a contribution that puts the Island among the top in the world for donations per capita.
The desire for our community to support Ukraine was also evident this week when St Helier parishioners voted to back proposals to be twinned with Mykolaiv, a city in southern Ukraine. It is important we continue to show our support for Ukraine, and this will further strengthen the bond between us.
The Island also continues to implement all UK sanctions against Russia and Belarus. In the past year, over £1 billion of assets have been reported to the Minister for External Relations by local firms as having been frozen.
It is another example our commitment to Ukraine and demonstrates that Jersey has a robust regime to combat financial crime in all its forms, and all individuals and entities are expected to comply. The Island's Government and regulatory authorities will not hesitate to take targeted measures to prevent Jersey service providers or structures being abused and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that the intent of these measures is achieved.
It has been a year of unimaginable grief and distress for the Ukrainian people and Islanders have once again shown their spirit of generosity and community by continuing to support those affected by the war in Ukraine.
I hope you will join us in commemorating the anniversary with a minute's silence, which will be observed at 11:00am on Friday 24 February at all Public Buildings.
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