Convoy of rescue vehicles departing Luxembourg for Ukraine;
Credit: LUkraine asbl
On Wednesday 21 December 2022, a first convoy with rescue vehicles for Ukraine departed from Luxembourg.
It was the first batch of vehicles procured and delivered by LUkraine asbl within a framework of the global fundraising campaign "Ukraine is Calling", that was launched by the Luxembourg-based non-profit organisation in October.
This convoy includes sixteen vehicles – twelve ambulances and four fire engines. Eight of these vehicles were provided by Luxembourg's Ministry of Home Affairs, and the rest were purchased with the help of individual donations and Luxembourgish corporate contributions. Artec3D, the CinEast Film Festival, Francois Meyer and PubliLux covered the full price of individual vehicles.
The vehicles are expected arrive to Lviv on 23 December and will be handed over to the State Emergency Service and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. All the convoy drivers are volunteers, some of whom are citizens of Luxembourg.
The "Ukraine is Calling" campaign aims to raise €10 million to purchase 112 fire engines and ambulances to support Ukrainian emergency services and the medical system in rescuing civilians from the consequences of the Russian full-scale invasion. The campaign started in Luxembourg but quickly spread to other countries, becoming a global effort. There is a great need for these vehicles, as more than 2,000 fire engines and ambulances have been destroyed since the beginning of the war, a number that is increasing daily. Ukrainian emergency services are forced to prioritise rescue missions daily due to the constant shortage of such vehicles at the consequence of their destruction in the war.
"On behalf of all the Ukrainians, I would like to thank the Luxembourg government, businesses, and all the people who have contributed to the campaign for your great generosity and unconditional support of Ukrainians in these hard times. We greatly appreciate your help and are strongly convinced that it will aid in saving hundreds of innocent lives in this war. Your support helps to further our mission through Ukraine is Calling, and we will keep raising funds to accomplish it," said Inna Yaremenko, Vice-President of LUkraine asbl.
