November 8, 2022
Members of the Jersey Society in London met at the Jersey London Office on Saturday 15 October 2022 in their first in-person meeting since the Covid pandemic. As well as marking the 956th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, members were privileged to hear from guest speaker Edward Lewis, Head of Programme at Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), who was introduced to the meeting by the Chair of the Society, Nicholas Paines KC.
Ed gave a fascinating and insightful talk about the work of JOA and focussed on their recent work in Ukraine. JOA is responsible for distributing funding raised through the Bailiff’s Ukraine Appeal. Since the Russian invasion, the Government and Jersey public have committed over £2.2 million to humanitarian agencies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Inside Ukraine, Jersey has supplied thousands of trauma kits for medics, portable incubators for premature babies, oxygen concentrators and other essential items. He outlined that this work has been coordinated with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the United Nations and other partners.
He was able to share his first-hand experience from his visits to Poland, Ukraine, and Moldova. JOA has been able to respond quickly and very flexibly to the demands caused by the war. Jersey was also one of the first donors to initiatives training Ukrainian in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) courses, which allows for the civilian population to contemplate returning to areas of their homeland from which the invading forces have been repelled.
Ed concluded by emphasising the need for ongoing support for Ukraine – and highlighted recent events which have been held in Jersey to continue that fundraising. Contributions can be made at: https://www.sidebyside.je/
