Group photo with Inna Yaremenko, the Vice President of LUkraine; Franz Fayot, Luxembourg's Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs (centre) and Nicolas Zharov, President of LUkraine (second from right);
Credit: Otilia Dragan/Chronicle.lu
On Friday 11 August 2023, a LUkraine Humanitarian Mission kicked off at the Bouillon P+R parking lot in Luxembourg-Hollerich, aiming to provide medical and evacuation services on the territories that border the front line in Ukraine.
The project, implemented with financial support from Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, focuses on assisting those who cannot access medical assistance due to the lack of resources in local emergency medical care centres in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. During the event, the first convoy of emergency vehicles was unveiled, including a medical bus, ambulances, a mobile dentist clinic/surgery and a passenger vehicle. A crew of volunteers, including a number of Luxembourgish nationals, will travel with the convoy.
The departure from Luxembourg on Saturday 12 August 2023 will be towards Dnipro, Ukraine, and then on to Donetsk Oblast.
LUkraine Asbl also aims to provide temporary assistance for evacuated individuals (including access to water, food, medications, electricity, internet and washing facilities), as well as psychosocial assistance and humanitarian aid. This is a relief action aiming to assist in a context of an ongoing crisis: approximately 14.6 million Ukrainians require humanitarian and health assistance, with over thirteen million people displaced since the invasion.
Franz Fayot, Luxembourg's Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, attended a presentation by Nicolas Zharov, President of LUkraine, and they discussed the materials provided, moderated by Inna Yaremenko, the Vice President of LUkraine.
Minister Fayot noted that this action is a "powerful reminder" that although we all follow the news from Ukraine daily, "it is not just another piece of news." He added: "People are suffering, dying, families are suffering from post-traumatic stress." He emphasised that this action provides a sense of satisfaction and that this first direct partnership with Ukraine (which he said will not be the last) will be making a difference.
Nicolas Zharov added that launching such projects saves lives. "Being able to work on the ground ourselves is very important. It is always said that Luxembourg is a small country, but it has a very big heart." He also thanked the donors and partners of this project and noted that there are upcoming projects and that updates will be sent concerning the mission's evolution.
Project partners include a Ukraine-based charity foundation, Center of Salvation of Life; Venari Group UK, an emergency vehicles manufacturer; a UK-based charity foundation, Ukraine Charity; Luxembourg-based Lions Club Luxembourg, a charity foundation; Special Truck Parts (NL), special vehicles and equipment manufacturer and the non-profit organisation Pharmaciens Sans Frontières Luxembourg asbl.
