More energy sector assistance and hospital supplies to Ukraine – the need for assistance will continue for a long time

Finland has sent more energy sector supplies and hospital supplies to Ukraine. Last week, Finland also delivered school furniture for the first time. This year, Finland has delivered a total of 55 trucks of civilian material assistance to Ukraine. New assistance packages are being prepared, among other things, for the energy sector.

The aid operation is exceptional and the need for assistance is expected to continue for a long time. Ukrainians are hit hard by the winter, so there is a massive demand in particular for energy sector products.

- The ongoing fighting, the coming winter and Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure exacerbate living conditions in Ukraine where millions are without electricity, heat or water. The situation is very serious for the civilian population, and Ukraine needs many types of assistance. I would like to thank all those who have made donations. Finland continues to provide assistance according to the wishes and requests from Ukraine. People in Finland have shown great will to help Ukrainians, and I hope they will continue to do so, says Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen.

Before Christmas, five trucks of material assistance were sent to Ukraine. To support Ukraine’s energy supply, a truck delivery of supply transformers was sent to Ukraine on 22 December. Four trucks sent on 19 and 20 December contained hospital supplies, rescue services supplies, water purification materials and small-sized generators.

For the first time, Finland also sent school equipment to Ukraine. Even now, but especially in the subsequent reconstruction phase, there will be a great need to support the education and training sectors.

The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment are preparing, in cooperation with various actors, new assistance packages for the energy sector. These will contain, for example, heating equipment, backup power plants, power supply systems, transformers and various components of the electricity grid.

Ukraine continues to need backup power plants, transformers, components of the electricity grid, medicines, first aid supplies, emergency accommodation, water purification equipment, mine clearance equipment, protective equipment to deal with hazardous substances, and fuels, among other things.

55 trucks of assistance have been delivered during the year

The Ministry of the Interior coordinates the civilian material assistance to Ukraine, which consists mainly of donations from companies and public sector actors. Since February, 55 trucks of civilian assistance have been sent to Ukraine and four to Moldova.

These have included emergency accommodation, medicines, civil defence and rescue services supplies, radiation safety equipment, healthcare supplies, backup power plants and components of the electricity grid. 

Six fire engines and 13 ambulances have also been sent to Ukraine. Bus companies have donated some twenty buses and coaches, five of which were delivered already in early December. 

The monetary value of the civilian material assistance is approximately EUR five million, and assistance packages worth several million euros are being prepared. The total mass of the assistance is approximately 500 tonnes while the total volume is approximately 3,000 cubic metres.

Rescue service experts support logistics

The Ministry of the Interior coordinates the assistance that Finland sends to Ukraine through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which is under the responsibility of the European Commission. 

The Emergency Response Coordination Centre ensures that help reaches its destination. Assistance is provided to those in need of assistance in cooperation with Ukraine’s responsible authorities. 
In the course of 2022, several rescue service experts have been sent to Moldova, Poland and Slovakia to support aid operations and logistics. 

The list of civilian material assistance sent from Finland to Ukraine is available on the Ministry of the Interior’s website: Civilian assistance sent from Finland to Ukraine and neighbouring regions.

For private individuals, the most effective way to help is by donating money to aid organisations.

Inquiries:

Heikki Honkanen, Coordinator, tel. +358 295 488 565, [email protected] 

Mikko Jalo, Special Adviser to the Minister of the Interior, tel. +358 50 304 8522, [email protected]