By The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER - British Columbia is contributing $30,000 for humanitarian aid, emergency response and other supports in Ukraine, where turmoil continues because of clashes between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
The funds will go to the B.C. chapter of the Canadian Red Cross Society, which has been in Ukraine since last November.
Premier Christy Clark says her government is deeply concerned about the loss of life and injuries to people in eastern Ukraine and she hopes a peace agreement can be reached soon.
Roughly 3,000 people have been killed following an uprising that began last fall when former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych abandoned an EU co-operation pact in favour of closer ties with Russia.
The Canadian government has blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for provoking unrest, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper reiterated his support for Ukraine last month when President Petro Poroshenko visited Ottawa.
About 1.2 million people of Ukrainian descent live in Canada.