SINGAPORE — The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has committed another S$1.12 million to support Ukrainian refugees, in the form of first aid kits, medical equipment and medicines for rare diseases, among other items.

A two-person SRC team has also been deployed to some of Ukraine's neighbouring countries, where many of the refugees are being hosted, to oversee the humanitarian response and aid and to explore opportunities to for expansion of operations, said SRC in a statement on Tuesday (April 5).

The team arrived in Hungary on Monday and will be working closely with humanitarian partners on the ground to support the fast-growing refugee crisis.

Millions of Ukrainians have fled to neighbouring countries including Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia since the fighting began on Feb 24.

With the need for humanitarian support within Ukraine growing following the devastation of Ukrainian communities, SRC has pledged another US$100,000 (S$135,000) to the Ukrainian Red Cross to support its response to the affected communities.

The latest commitment follows SRC’s first tranche of aid worth US$100,000, and its second tranche of S$2.4 million, and brings the total disbursement to S$3.66 million.

“Besides supporting the provision of immediate relief aid, we will continue to focus on addressing basic needs, emergency shelter, protection, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, and psycho-social support,” said Mr Benjamin William, SRC's secretary general and chief executive officer.

At least 80 individuals and groups have stepped forward in support of SRC’s public fundraising appeal with more than S$6 million having been raised since the start of the appeal on Feb 25.