Malta funds crisis centres in Ukraine as silent march marks invasion anniversary

The government has announced it is funding three mobile crisis centres in two Ukrainian cities as Ukrainians living in Malta marked four years since Russia’s military invasion with a silent march through Valletta on Tuesday evening.

Foreign Minister Ian Borg said the government is funding the “immediate deployment” of the three centres in Kyiv and Chernihiv, providing heat, electricity, connectivity and safe spaces for Ukrainian families.

The 24-hour centres will be run in collaboration with a specialised Ukrainian NGO and will provide assistance to around 360 people every day.

Ukrainians living in Malta gathered in Valletta to mark four years since the Russian invasion. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

“We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” Borg said, as he paid tribute to Ukrainians' "resilience and courage."

“Malta will continue to stand with Ukraine.”

The foreign ministry explained each centre will provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in distress, offering essential services, including heating, hot beverages, mobile phone charging, secure internet services, child-friendly spaces, basic first aid, sanitary and hygiene services, and personal protective equipment.

They will be manned by qualified personnel provided by the NGO, in line with strict quality standards, the ministry added.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Malta has provided sustained humanitarian support, including a mine-resistant ambulance, mine detectors, medical equipment and medicines, targeted financial assistance, and essential medical supplies.

Through partnership with Project HOPE, Malta also contributed to the refurbishment of a clinic damaged by the conflict, helping restore access to essential health services for affected communities.

The assistance forms part of Malta’s broader humanitarian support for Ukraine’s civilian population, the ministry said.

The poignant silent march through Valletta was an emotional gathering for Ukrainians living in Malta. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

On Tuesday evening, a number of Ukrainians living in Malta marched through Valletta carrying a large Ukrainian flag along Merchant Street, while others wrapped the blue and yellow flag around their shoulders.

Some switched on their mobile phone torches, in remembrance of those back home who are without electricity due to extensive infrastructure damage caused by the Russian invasion.

Ambassadors and other diplomats from several countries also joined in the march.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, uprooting the lives of more than six million people who fled the country.

As many as 1,914 Ukrainians live in Malta on a temporary protection certificate issued by the International Protection Agency after the outbreak of the war.

Alexia Melkonyan, the Chairperson of the Foundation for the Ukrainian Community of Malta, the group that organised the march, said Tuesday’s event “symbolises all the pain and loss Ukraine has experienced but also marks the country and its people’s resilience”.

"We march in memory of those who were killed and all those who continue to live under the threat of war," she said.

She added around the world other marches are taking place as a sign of solidarity for Ukrainians.

The march ended outside parliament where participants symbolically jingled their keys "to free those who are under captivity in Ukraine and to free Ukraine from the war". 

A minute of silence followed as the poignant event came to a close with the Ukrainian national anthem.