Civilian material assistance to Ukraine

A highly exceptional aid operation is underway in Europe. Extensive amounts of assistance have been sent to Ukraine and neighbouring countries through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Department for Rescue Services of the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for coordinating the civilian assistance provided by the Finnish Government to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Ministry of the Interior coordinates donations from different sectors

The need for aid in Ukraine cuts through all of society. Public authorities alone cannot respond to the extensive need for aid; instead, assistance must be provided through broader cooperation.

The Ministry of the Interior channels donations from different sectors of society to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This enables companies, government agencies, organisations, municipalities or wellbeing services counties to participate in supporting Ukraine. 

Donation process

1. Donor contacts the Ministry of the Interior by email at civprot.sm@gov.fi 2. Ministry of the Interior provides a donation list template 3. Donor fills in the template with the list of supplies and returns it to the Ministry of the Interior 4. Ministry of the Interior makes a donation offer to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism 5. Ukrainian authorities process the donation offer 6. If there is need for the offered material assistance, Ukrainian authorities will accept the offer and determine the recipient of the supplies in Ukraine. 7. Ministry of the Interior and the donor fill in the necessary documents and the Ministry makes a transport request to the National Emergency Supply Agency 8. Contracting partner of the National Emergency Supply Agency contacts the donor to agree on the details of the transport 9. Donated material aid is delivered to Ukraine. The Ministry of the Interior covers the transport costs.

Let’s help Ukraine together to get through winter! 

The energy sector in particular is in need of assistance at the moment. Russia is destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure intentionally and systematically, causing widespread and long-lasting power outages, among other things. The situation in the Ukrainian energy sector is becoming alarming as winter approaches. Assistance is now needed to repair and replace production plants and distribution networks as well as to develop decentralised energy production and protect infrastructure.

In addition to the energy infrastructure, Ukraine needs assistance in maintaining other critical infrastructure, healthcare, rescue services, civil defence and the functioning of roads and telecommunications.

For more information on Ukraine's need for assistance, please contact the Ministry of the Interior at [email protected]

Civilian assistance sent from Finland

Finland has sent a total of more than 350 truckloads of civilian material assistance to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Additionally, more than 80 vehicles, such as rescue service vehicles and buses, have been sent to Ukraine. 

For a more detailed list of state civil assistance, click here. 

Largest sector of material assistance, as a percentage of transported goods: modular housing 25%, energy 21%, rescue services and civil defence 17%, healthcare 15%, education 11%, other 11%.