Jersey's International Development Minister has been to Poland to see the support the island has given to the people of Ukraine.

Deputy Carolyn Labey has been to a warehouse in the east of the country, near the border.

£1.8 million pounds has been donated by Jersey Overseas Aid, including £600,000 raised by the Bailiff's Ukraine appeal.

JOA partner Crown Agents has procured 4,000 medical trauma kits and 150 Kevlar vests and helmets for doctors.

The island has also sent spare breathing apparatus, shipping 200 oxygen concentrators left over from the island's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Deputy Labey also met Father Piotr Potyrala from Caritas Rzeszow, which has received the donations of goods collected by islanders in the first days of the war.

There was a huge response to an appeal for donations of clothes, bedding and toiletries for the people of Ukraine.

Some of these items have been distributed to refugees in Poland, and some sent on to Kyiv.

“It’s a humbling experience to meet ordinary Ukrainians who have displayed such extraordinary courage and resilience as well as the wonderful people assisting them. I’m so proud of our Island for the outpouring of support.” - Deputy Labey

The Minister has also attended a coordination meeting of UN Agencies and received a briefing from the General commanding the US 82nd Airborne Division.

The Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondre was also in Poland this week.

Jersey's Chief Minister with UNHCR Representative to Poland, Mr Martin Kajdomcaj

He used the opportunity to meet with the country Representative of the UN’s refugee agency, a close Jersey Overseas Aid partner, and to visit a ‘Blue Dot’ refugee reception centre supported by the Island.