Australia will donate $20 million to an energy support fund for Ukraine, amid pleas for an urgent shipment of coal.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday announced a $31 million package for Ukraine’s energy and humanitarian needs.
The funds will be used to provide heat and electricity to Ukrainians as the conflict drags on into the European winter.
The Albanian government has been criticized after a call for help from Kiev went unanswered for six months.
Ukraine has requested the coal shipment as Russia bombs its power plants with missile and drone attacks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) met with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy (right) on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania last year
An additional $10 million in emergency humanitarian assistance will go to the United Nations to increase access to essentials, including water, food and shelter.
A further $1 million will be provided for the rehabilitation and care of people with disabilities and war injuries.
Senator Wong said the government remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“Australia’s $20 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund will be used to meet the highest priority energy needs and support the Ukrainian people,” she said.
International Development Minister Pat Conroy said Australia is proud to stand with the Ukrainian people.
“The Australian government remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Ukraine and work with partner countries to ensure that Ukraine can end this conflict on its terms.”