Minute by the Lord Mayor
To Council:
On 24 February 2022, the President of the
Russian Federation Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of the Sovereign State of
Ukraine. In the days that followed Russian Armed Forces crossed the Ukrainian
border at several points, leading to several cities now being besieged. Russian
aircraft have indiscriminately bombed Ukrainian cities, with at least 67 cities
and towns having been hit as of 12 March 2022, according to the New York Times.
A later air strike at a military air base close to the city of Lviv, 20kms from
the Polish border killing 35 people and injuring another 134.
On 16 March 2022 an airstrike destroyed a
theatre sheltering around 1,000 people in Mariupol, a port city in
South-Eastern Ukraine. On the ground, neighbourhoods in cities and towns,
including the capital Kyiv, continue to be bombarded.
Perhaps the one of the most shocking of these
bombings was the Russian airstrike on 9 March 2022 which devastated a Mariupol
children’s and maternity hospital. Three people, including a child, were killed
and 17 patients were injured. Hospital staff and patients, including pregnant
women and children were forced to scramble out of the rubble and burnt
wreckage. According to the World Health Organization, this was one of 18
attacks on medical facilities since the invasion began.
Yet it has not proceeded as Putin may have
expected. It has met fierce resistance from the Ukrainian people and has been
bedevilled by logistical problems. On 12 March 2022, Joshua Yaffa observed in
the New Yorker: "The sense of purpose and solidarity among Ukrainians was
in sharp contrast to the apparently demoralized state of many of the Russian
soldiers sent into the fight."
According to Yaffa, the spirit of the
country’s resistance has been exemplified by its President, Volodymyr
Zelenskyy, former law graduate, comic performer and television producer.
Elected in 2019 with 73 per cent of the popular vote, he concluded his
inaugural presidential speech with: “Throughout my life, I’ve tried to do
everything I can to make Ukrainians smile … In the next five years, I will do
everything to ensure that you, Ukrainians, don’t cry.”
Since the invasion, he has become a hero to
his people and the world with his leadership and inspiring, spirited defiance.
When the United States offered to evacuate him from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, he
replied “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
The invasion has created a humanitarian and
refugee crisis. As of 16 March 2022, over three million people, including 1.5
million children have fled Ukraine, according to the United Nations, with this
potentially rising to four million. Those who remain have faced shortages of
food, water, essential supplies and lack of heating. An unknown number of
people are internally displaced, their homes having been destroyed or rendered
unsafe. While the ultimate outcome of this war is uncertain, its toll on the
Ukrainian people will continue for years to come.
The war’s devastating impact is being felt
beyond Ukraine’s borders, not least by Ukrainians living abroad. According to
the 2016 Census, 14,446 people with Ukrainian ancestry resided in NSW with 749
living in the City of Sydney Local Government Area. Along with others worldwide
who are part of the Ukrainian diaspora, they will undoubtedly be concerned with
the safety and welfare of family and friends. By standing with Ukraine we stand
with them as well.
In late February 2022, the City joined with
others in showing solidarity with all Australians of Ukrainian heritage by
flying the Ukrainian flag and lighting Sydney Town Hall with its colours.
Australians may also show solidarity by
donating to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org This appeal is a collaboration between the
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Rotary Australia World
Community Service (RAWCS) and Caritas Ukraine. The Appeal’s priority is
providing emergency humanitarian aid for food, shelter, medical aid,
psychological support and child welfare.
The Ukrainian Council of NSW, the peak body
representing Ukrainians in NSW, has sought the support of the City in promoting
this appeal by holding a fundraising event at Sydney Town Hall. I propose that
Council agree with this request.
I also invite all persons in the Chamber to
join with me in standing for one minute as an expression of solidarity with and
support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, including the
millions who have fled their country.
This donation complies with the City of
Sydney Humanitarian Emergency Response Guidelines, adopted by Council in August
2010, the Support for Charities Guidelines which were approved by the Chief
Executive Officer in May 2018, and are in line with previous donations.
COUNCILLOR CLOVER MOORE
Lord Mayor
Moved by the Lord Mayor, seconded by Councillor Gannon –
It is resolved that:
(A)
all
persons in the Council Chamber stand for one minute as an expression of
solidarity with and support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian
diaspora, including the millions who have fled their country;
(B)
Council
approve a cash sponsorship to the Ukrainian Council of NSW Inc for an amount of
up to $50,000 (excluding GST) for venue hire and associated costs to use Sydney
Town Hall for the Ukraine Fundraiser event, with funds to be sourced from the
2021/22 General Contingency Fund; and
(C)
authority
be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate, execute and
administer a sponsorship agreement with the Ukrainian Council of NSW Inc in
relation to (B) above.
Carried unanimously.
S051491
Note – All those present at the meeting observed a minute’s silence in
solidarity with the people of Ukraine.