Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war has sparked a strong desire among people in Finland to help those affected.
Terhi Bruun, a communications specialist at Unicef Finland, told Yle that an urge to assist Ukrainian families and children has been particularly evident.
"This wave of solidarity has hit the whole country and everyone has joined in," Bruun said.
An Yle poll of aid organisations operating in Finland revealed that about 53 million euros has so far been donated to help Ukrainian people since the outbreak of war on 24 February.
The total includes about 23 million euros donated to Finland's Red Cross, 17 million euros to Unicef Finland and nearly 6 million euros to the Finnish branch of the international Save the Children organisation.
"Many people must have been surprised that the war really broke out. It was suddenly so close to us," Red Cross Fundraising Manager Anna Laurinsilta said.
Unicef is a UN children's humanitarian aid organisation that operates in more than 190 countries.
"It is an exceptionally large and record-breaking amount," Terhi Bruun said of the 17 million euros the organisation has received since the outbreak of war. "It is many times what we have received during other crisis situations."
In addition, a further 455,000 euros has so far been donated to UN Women Finland, which defends the rights of girls and women.
"It is the largest amount ever collected by the organisation," UN Women Finland's coordinator Maija Salomaa said.
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Donating money is the best way to help
Each of the organisations contacted by Yle said that a monetary donation is the best and most effective way to help war victims, as the money can then be used to provide food, water, medicine, shelter, hygiene and hospital supplies.
In addition, the donations can also help to provide psychosocial assistance as well as support the schooling of Ukrainian children.
Anna Laurinsilla, fundraising manager with the Finnish Red Cross, said she thinks the fact that donating has been made easier has contributed to the unprecedented amounts the organisations are receiving.
People can transfer money quickly by clicking on the appropriate amount on their mobile phone or on the website of the aid organisation.
"Money can be used to buy and send supplies or aid workers from Finland. We are able to act quickly because the system is well organised and helping is effective," she said.
What can I do?
- You can donate money directly to the various aid organisations mentioned in this article, and others too, via the links that can be found on their websites.
- You can participate in any of the many support events that take place all over Finland every week.
- You can join the 'friendship campaign' run by the Finnish Red Cross. Ukrainian people who have fled the war and arrived in Finland need Finnish friends. There is more information (in Finnish) on the campaign on the Red Cross website here.
- You can make donations or even volunteer, for example with the Ukrainian Association in Finland. More information here.