Statement concerning recent attacks on Ukraine

Cultural Emergency Response (CER) offers its deepest condolences to all those affected by the recent attacks in Kyiv and across Ukraine.

The recent airstrikes form part of a series of large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent months, resulting in significant loss of life, injury, and displacement. These attacks are affecting people, communities, and cultural heritage across the country.

In response to growing needs, CER has allocated additional support to Museum for Change through the CER Regional Hub in the Black Sea. Together with the Agency for Cultural Resilience and the Ukraine Heritage Monitoring Lab, the Regional Hub is working directly with local partners to respond to the escalating situation and provide assistance where it is needed most.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, CER's Ukraine Action Plan has supported over 50 responses across the country, ranging from the evacuation of collections to damage assessments and mobile digitisation labs. Among these sites is recently impacted is Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of Ukraine's most important cultural and spiritual landmarks. In 2022, CER, together with the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative (HERI) and World Monuments Fund (WMF), supported local partners in equipping the cathedral with a monitoring system designed to alert staff to potential damage.

We remain committed to supporting local partners safeguarding cultural heritage in Ukraine. As attacks continue and needs increase, additional resources are crucial to ensure that heritage responders on the ground can act quickly and effectively when culture comes under threat.

Support our cultural ambulance to provide fast, flexible, and locally-led protection for culture in crisis in Ukraine. Donate now.

Photo | Agency for Cultural Resilience