The European Commission (EC) in cooperation with Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego will allocate EUR 16 million to support Ukraine

The decision to continue the support is the result of a very good cooperation between EC, BGK and Solidarity Fund PL. So far, EUR 9.3 million was allocated and it enabled the purchase of 25 professionally equipped ambulances, hygienic and medical supplies – including computer tomography and food (groats, flour, sugar, tinned meat, pasta, baby food), among others. New arrangements between BGK and EC show that it is not the end yet.

EC is the donor and BGK as the implementing partner cooperates closely with the EC and coordinates the process of spending the funds, whereas Solidarity Fund PL is responsible for organizing help – from purchases to their delivery to Ukraine. This organizational structure of providing support remains unchanged. However the amount of support is changing as the EC, encouraged by the effects of joint activities, decided to donate EUR 16 million to continue the support.

The allocation of support is also changing and now it will be targeted first of all at the purchase of school buses that will take children to school and evacuate them during the ongoing war, autumn-winter period essentials (electric generators, stoves, energy carriers, portable beds, water purification systems, thermal and winter clothes, as well as food, medical equipment, hygienic supplies, fire extinguishing equipment and fire engines) and providing psychological support on the territory of Ukraine. The money comes from Team Europe Initiative regarding COVID-19 vaccination exchange for the Eastern Partnership countries.

EU support was essential to supply key medical and rescue supplies to many Ukrainian municipalities. I am glad we can continue our support to ensure school transport, and also to help Ukrainians cope with harsh winter and psychological consequences of permanent war aggression on their country – Lawrence Meredith, director for Neighborhood East and Institution, said.

Since the beginning of the war, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego has been involved in helping Ukraine. The cooperation with European Commission is yet another possibility of supporting our neighbours, that is why we are particularly pleased that it will be continued. The war at our eastern border is still on, and the winter and Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure make it increasingly difficult for the Ukrainians. Thanks to the funds from EC, we can ensure e.g. electric generators, stoves, thermal wear and medical equipment – Tomasz Robaczyński, board member at BGK, says.

Ukrainian hromadas (municipalities), hospitals, schools and fire brigades are the main recipients of the aid. This is where BGK together with SFPL reach. It’s all possible thanks to proper organization and effort of many people working at the implementation of this aid, many years of operation on the territory of Ukraine and the contacts developed for years.

Solidarity Fund PL for many years has made efforts to support the Ukrainian partners in modernizing their country. Unprecedented scale of Russian aggression has faced us with even greater challenges connected with comprehensive aid for fighting Ukraine – protecting health and even life of the people threatened by Russian war against the entire Ukrainian nation with barbarian methods. The continuation of the support provided by such solid partners as BGK and EC will enable us to deliver to hundred thousands of Ukrainians not only buses, duvets, electric power generators or stoves, but also the confidence that their closest neighbours as well as the whole Europe are standing by their side - Rafał Dzięciołowski, president of SFPL, says.