Open rehearsal for Ukraine. The words of UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi

It's an extraordinaryOpen rehearsal for Peace, the one that the Filarmonica della Scalawith Main Partner UniCredit, is dedicating to theemergency in Ukraine on Sunday 20 March at 6.30 p.m. at Teatro alla Scala. The entire proceeds from the evening will be donated to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, which is working in the field to protect and assist hundreds of thousands of men, women and children forced to leave their homes in search of safety, protection and assistance.

Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 3 million people have already fled Ukraine and more than 2 million are estimated to be internally displaced within their own country. "This is the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, in a special message for the evening, " They are women, children and elderly people. They are displaced persons and refugees, terrorized by the senseless violence that strikes them indiscriminately, innocent victims whose lives have been turned upside down in the space of a few hours, who have left everything behind, scarred by the trauma of what they have seen, by fatigue, by the cold, and by concern for family members left behind in Ukraine." This is why, despite the situation of grave danger, UNHCR is present in Ukraine and in all neighbouring countries. "UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency of which I am head," the High Commissioner continues, " is doing all it can to provide material and cash assistance to displaced persons with enormous difficulties related to the precarious security conditions. In neighbouring countries, in Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary and Romania, we are working closely with governments to ensure the safety, assistance and protection of refugees".

In thanking Filarmonica della Scala, Maestro Luisi, the musicians and the audience with affection, Grandi concludes: "The music of Filarmonica della Scala today, as well as nourishing the souls of those who are here tonight to hear Bruckner, will reach many displaced persons and refugees in the form of solidarity and humanitarian assistance.

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