With their home country facing a humanitarian crisis, many Ukrainians in Hong Kong are finding ways to raise funds for the war-hit nation.
As part of global food initiative #CookforUkraine, Dacha – a Ukrainian restaurant in Central – is selling its signature Medovik cake. The classic honey cake is a Ukranian favorite.
Each cake sells for HK$650 (US$83) and is available for preorder via Facebook or WhatsApp at +852 9839 1528.
The restaurant hopes to raise HK$10,000 (US$1,279) by mid-March, which will be donated to non-profit organizations including Red Cross and Razom, as well as activists based in Poland assisting with the safe relocation of people of colour, queers and the disabled.
Hong Kong Rangers goalkeeper Oleksii Shliakotin is also appealing for donations on social media to help with the millions who “are sitting in a bomb shelters, without food, water and electricity” in his home country.
The footballer said in an Instagram post that he would use the funds to arrange for the purchase of necessities in Europe and send them to Ukraine.
Some Ukrainians in Hong Kong are working to ensure money is channelled to the trustworthy and verified groups.
A member of the Ukrainian Society of Hong Kong, who prefers not to be named, says some of such organizations she has worked with include Come Back Alive, the National Bank of Ukraine, UN Refugee Agency, Ukrainian Red Cross Society and United Help Ukraine.
“I am horrified, and disbelieving that such a thing is actually happening. Like many others, I feel helpless, anxious and worried about my family and friends,” says the eastern Ukrainian native who lived through the 2014 crisis in the country.
She adds that the Ukrainian community has also been counteracting misinformation on social media, such as through sharing the first hand experiences of their friends and family from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, some Hongkongers have come up with a #SaveUkraineChallenge on Facebook to raise funds for the country.
Participants have shared about their donations on the social media platform and some tagged other friends to join the challenge.
