Serbia once again proved its solidarity with Ukraine, which has been exposed to Russian aggression for more than a year and a half. The humanitarian aid contingent left today from the customs administration building in New Belgrade, and the event was attended by the President of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabić, the Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Serbia Volodymyr Tolkach and the Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret.
Prime Minister Brnabić said that today Serbia sent 14 trucks of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, that it is ready to accept even more refugees from that country and to help the Ukrainian people even more, reports Tanjug.
“As for medicines, that’s all we managed to allocate through the Republic Fund of Health Insurance and we will continue with that practice. As for goods, these are the goods that can be used by the people of Ukraine who lost their homes after the bursting of the dam. There are blankets, pillows, sponges for sleeping on the floor, but also water purification filters as well as drinking water. A total of 14 humanitarian aid trucks are leaving today for Ukraine via Romania,” said the Prime Minister.
„We know that almost 18 million citizens of Ukraine are in direct need of humanitarian assistance“, said the head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.
He added that Serbia’s solidarity today is an important gesture and that this help will be remembered.
“I want to emphasize my gratitude to Serbia for providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.” Hvala!” Ambassador Giaufret said.
Although today’s delivery is Serbia’s direct aid to Ukraine, Giaufret reminded that the European Union has also provided significant aid to Ukrainians so far.
“We are working to ensure the economic and military resilience of Ukraine, through constant financial support – a total of 76 billion euros have been mobilized for all sectors to support Ukraine so far. Our member states are supporting Ukraine by hosting refugees from Ukraine.”
Today’s delivery is the second in a row that Serbia is sending to Ukrainians. The previous one involved the delivery of electrical infrastructure, and was realized through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM).
“Recently, the Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, and I, together with the ambassador of Ukraine, escorted several trucks with electronic equipment, which was necessary for the electrical energy system of Ukraine. I would also like to congratulate Serbia for accepting Ukrainian refugees,” Giaufret said.
Ambassador Tolkach pointed out that a lot of people from Ukraine came to Serbia in the last period, and that the local population welcomed them more than warmly.
“Our goal is to live in peace and togetherness. The common goal is life in the EU,” he emphasized.