On May 21, 2020, Head of EU Delegation to Ukraine, Ambassador Matti Maasikas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen, Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk, Head of Polish Aid to Ukraine and First Secretary of the Polish Embassy to Ukraine Arkadiusz Kutek, and First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy Louise Morsing visited a warehouse to check the packing of protective healthcare goods (protective gloves, masks, glasses, contactless thermometers, respirators, and disinfectants), procured with the support of the EU Delegation to Ukraine for front-line healthcare workers in 936 amalgamated hromadas (AHs) in need.

The EU and its five member states Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Estonia through the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and with support of Caritas Ukraine have procured a huge amount of material to support municipalities engaging in the decentralisation process on a short notice and through an efficient and fully transparent process. The Ambassadors and the Minister had an opportunity to talk to warehouse workers and pack boxes with protective goods. All required safety measures regarding the current COVID-19 crisis were implemented during the event. 

Ambassador Matti Maasikas, Head of EU Delegation to Ukraine, stated the importance of strong and healthy hromadas for the development of Ukraine: “Healthy hromadas are the foundation of strong Ukraine. I am proud that the EU and its member states through U-LEAD can support Ukraine’s rural communities and small cities in beating COVID-19.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba expressed his gratitude for the support received through the EU and EU Member States and stated: “More than 9 million Ukrainians live in amalgamated hromadas today. This timely and very much needed EU support will help communities fight the spread of COVID-19, empower medical workers, strengthen healthcare institutions and, most importantly, will further strengthen the bond between Ukraine and the EU. Solidarity is our most powerful weapon against the pandemic”.

German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen noted: “I am looking forward to our continued cooperation on decentralisation and strengthening of local self-government to support confident citizens in strong hromadas for a safe country.”

Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk stressed the importance of cooperation between friends: “True friends do not only celebrate success together. True friends are there, also at time of need. That is the reason why the EU and our countries are here – we stand by Ukraine.”

First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy Louise Morsing said: “Sweden is happy to be part of the EU’s support to Ukrainian local self-governments and strengthening of local democracy. This is particularly important in these times, when strong and capable local self-governments are needed more than ever to effectively meet the needs of the population.”

The protective kits will be sent to the municipalities very soon and will be officially handed over to the hromadas at a solemn ceremony online.

During the current outbreak of COVID-19, European partners of Ukraine through the U-LEAD Programme will continue      to support municipalities all over Ukraine with capacity development measures, information campaigns and protective equipment. This helps municipalities to maintain the proper performance of their functions and cope with the impact of the pandemic.

Background information:

The EU has already announced over EUR 190 million support package for Ukraine. This is part of the EU and its Member States’ global Team Europe COVID-19 response package. These funds will be spent on supplies of medical equipment, medical staff training and mitigation of the COVID-19 economic impact. On top of the existing support, the EU and its partners will help small and medium-sized enterprises, small farms, civil society and the conflict-affected regions in Ukraine's east and south to beat COVID-19.