The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation ranked among the largest charities in Europe
The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation took part in the 30th annual European Foundation Center (EFC) Conference. This major platform for philanthropy brought together over 500 largest European and international charitable organizations to combat today’s global social problems.
Natalia Yemchenko, member of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board said that the main purpose of participation in this conference was to draw as much attention of international community as possible to one of the largest armed conflicts of the 21st century taking place in the center of Europe today. She emphasized that humanitarian situation in the Donbas continues to deteriorate, and as a result, almost four million people still badly need help. More than one million of them are elderly people over 60 years old. According to UN data, Ukraine is ranked among the world’s leaders in terms of the number of elderly people victimized by an armed conflict in one country.
“The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is the only organization in Ukraine that for five years has been providing systemic and comprehensive help to the most destitute civilians in the Donbas: old people, children, people with disabilities. Its efforts helped save more than a million human lives. More than a million people know that they haven’t been left at the mercy of fate, that they haven’t been left one-on-one with war. The help continues to come every day, but the need in help remains extremely acute, and the recent survey held by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology proves that. Thus, 92% of respondents living along the confrontation line said that Rinat Akhmetov helps them survive, physically and psychologically,” Natalia Yemchenko said.
It was the third time the Foundation participated in the EFC Conference, and its efforts were recognized and highly praised by European philanthropists. By participating in the events of this level and exchanging experience, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation implements the latest philanthropy standards in Ukraine.
“I am very impressed by the Foundation’s work. The most important thing in its work is to stay focused. It is very important to have a plan others could understand and allocate resources for it, which by the way, come from a private source. It is a very important activity for Ukraine, because for the time being, this country, as well as the entire Eastern Europe, has not enough philanthropy. This help is especially important for people who live in the warzone and need attention,” Gerard Salole, European Foundation Center (EFC) Chief Executive said.
