Switzerland delivers further relief supplies to Ukraine
Bern, 13.03.2024 - Since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, Switzerland has sent regular shipments of relief goods to those impacted, with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spearheading the effort financially and logistically. The first of three aid consignments in 2024 arrived in Kyiv today. The deliveries are made up of spare parts for fire engines, humanitarian demining equipment and medical supplies. This aid, valued at around CHF 900,000, is provided from the stock of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) and the city of Burgdorf in the Canton of Bern.
For over two years, the war has inflicted severe hardship on millions of Ukrainian civilians, with daily reports of casualties and almost half of the population reliant on humanitarian aid. Switzerland's regular shipments of relief supplies form a critical component of its support strategy.
Ongoing support amidst the crisis
This latest consignment, building on December 2023's dispatch of firefighting and ambulance vehicles, focuses on crucial firefighting equipment: foam, spare parts for fire engines, protective gear, medical gloves, and adult and adolescent vaccination kits. It also includes five loop detectors intended for a collaborative project of humanitarian demining with the Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD). At the end of September 2023, the Federal Council allocated CHF 100 million for demining civilian and agricultural areas in Ukraine and facilitating the country's recovery.
Predominantly sourced from the DDPS, with some of the firefighting suits and work clothing donated by the city of Burgdorf, the supplies will be delivered to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) in Kyiv.
Over the past two years, Switzerland has sent over 1,400 tonnes of relief supplies to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries.
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
Defence
http://www.vtg.admin.ch
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
http://www.vbs.admin.ch
