How football riches could ease the suffering of Ukraine
3 min read
It’s over 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the consequences continue to be devastating.
Our government’s commitment to Ukraine’s fight for freedom enjoys cross-party support, and while all eyes will be on the incoming Trump administration's approach to Ukraine there is a glaring opportunity to get more vital humanitarian resources to Ukrainians in need this winter. Incredibly, over two years after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea with the profits earmarked for Ukraine, not a single penny of the £2.5bn raised has been spent.
When Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea FC soon after the escalation of war in Ukraine in February 2022, the £2.5 billion raised was pledged to fund humanitarian programmes supporting all victims of the war, wherever they were in the world. But over two years later, this money – which is worth five times more than the UK’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since 2022 – remains locked in a UK bank account with little transparency over why no funds have been moved.
The new government have already shown welcome initiative in innovative sources of financing for Ukraine. Using the interest on the UK’s share of frozen Russian sovereign assets will raise over £2bn in new money. Now is the time for Ministers to up their efforts to release the Chelsea funds too, which will not cost the taxpayer anything.
Never has the need been more urgent. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Sumy Oblasts. More than 14.6 million people need humanitarian assistance, including millions of children whose physical safety, mental health, and education is threatened every day. Child casualties surged by almost 40% in the first half of this year, and September was the most dangerous month for civilians in two years.
The impact of the conflict stretches beyond Ukraine’s borders. 6.3 million people from Ukraine were forced to flee abroad for protection, including refugee children who are still out of school. The Chelsea Fund should help children beyond Ukraine’s borders where necessary.
Relentless air and ground attacks are driving up humanitarian needs in Ukraine, but the UN-coordinated humanitarian response has only 59% of the funding it needs and is grappling with a £1.3 billion shortfall. Humanitarian organisations are facing tough decisions about who receives aid, and funding shortages are preventing them from meeting many critical needs. By unlocking the Chelsea Fund, the UK Government could boost much-needed funding for children and communities in Ukraine and beyond.
Humanitarian agencies in Ukraine are also working closely with partners and communities to prepare for the third winter of full-scale war, which is expected to be the harshest yet. Houses, schools, hospitals, and critical energy and water infrastructure have been destroyed. Half of Ukraine’s energy generating capacity has been damaged, and communities have already been plunged into daily blackouts for up to twelve hours. Freezing temperatures are imminent in Ukraine and the UN is appealing for around £380 million to reach 1.8 million people this winter.
The release of proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC could help bolster critical winter preparations, including repairing infrastructure and providing heaters, clothes, and fuel to keep families warm.
The new Labour Government has been steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine but with the winter approaching and a humanitarian response hampered by a massive funding shortfall, the release of funds from the Chelsea FC sale has never been more critical. The Chelsea Fund could be a game-changer, but until it’s released, it can’t help a single victim of the war.
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