200 planes carry aid to Ukraine from 30 countries through Poland

13.03.2022 21:56

Ukrinform

Poland has become a hub of international aid to Ukraine: 30 countries regularly send aid to Ukraine, carried to Poland by 200 planes. Every day, dozens of trucks with humanitarian aid from different countries leave Poland for Ukraine.

"Given the geographical location, we are Ukraine's closest neighbor, we have become a hub of international aid," Michał Kuczmierowski, the head of the Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS), said at a joint press conference with Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia and Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of Poland Marlena Maląg, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, humanitarian aid for Ukraine now arrives in Poland from 30 countries. Products, medicines, clothes, tents, etc. are transported by 200 planes.

“We send dozens of trucks to Ukraine every day, which go directly to those who need help. This is more than 200 tonnes of food. This is still not enough, we can do more," said the head of RARS.

He noted that so far other countries had sent assistance for Ukraine worth more than PLN 100 million (over $23 million) to Poland, while Poland has already allocated PLN 200 million (more than $46 million) to help Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

According to him, more international support for Ukraine and appropriate cooperation with the Polish authorities are needed.

Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia noted that 1.6 million refugees from Ukraine had already crossed the Polish border, receiving assistance and support in Poland.

According to him, thanks to the law on assistance to Ukrainians passed on Saturday, Ukrainian citizens began to be issued a Polish identification code (PESEL) on Sunday. Thus Ukrainians will have access to social security, health care, and education. Now it will be necessary to focus on addressing the diverse needs of Ukrainians: teaching Ukrainian children in schools and universities, including in the Ukrainian language, providing access to health care, and employing Ukrainians, the Ambassador stressed.

In turn, Minister Maląg stressed that 36 reception points for Ukrainians have been set up in Poland, where they are provided with assistance and support. She noted that Ukrainians arriving in Poland since February 24 automatically receive the right to legal stay and employment in Poland for 18 months, as well as access to social and medical security.

She stressed that together with other international partners it is necessary to develop a broad program of support for Ukrainians in the short and long term, the official stressed.