Humanitarian cooperation

Belarus humanitarian convoy heading for Ukraine leaves Belarus

GOMEL OBLAST, 12 June (BelTA) – A humanitarian aid convoy heading for Ukraine left Belarus in the morning of 12 June, BelTA has learned.

The humanitarian aid weighing about 80 tonnes will be delivered to Ukraine using vehicles of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry. It will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast for the subsequent distribution among people in need.

Belarus Ambassador to Ukraine Igor Sokol told reporters that the first humanitarian convoy was sent to Ukraine a year ago, on 12 June 2017. “Back then the humanitarian aid was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross that subsequently took the cargo to the other side of the demarcation line using their own logistics. During the official visit of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to Ukraine in July 2017, an agreement was reached to supply humanitarian aid to the both sides of the demarcation line,” Igor Sokol underlined. This time, two vehicles will head for the International Committee of the Red Cross and another two vehicles will go to Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast each.

According to First Deputy Emergencies Minister of Belarus Alexander Khudoleyev, the list of products was coordinated with the Ukrainian side. “The humanitarian aid includes basic necessities, food products, furniture sets, refrigerators,” he said. For example, Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast each will receive 75 furniture sets (desks and chairs) for elementary school students, 150 furniture sets (desks and chairs) for high school students, 75 book cabinets and 44 Atlant refrigerators for schools and healthcare facilities.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Belarus Igor Kizim thanked Belarus on behalf of Ukraine. He praised the high organizational level of the humanitarian aid delivery. “The humanitarian aid delivery to Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast was handled in full compliance with international regulations and national laws of Ukraine,” he emphasized. Igor Kizim added that Belarus fulfilled the request of the Ukrainian side to the full extent.

The humanitarian convoy will have its first stop in Kiev where part of the cargo will be transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross. After that it will proceed to Kharkov where the convoy will split into two groups. One of them will leave for Kramatorsk, the other will go to Severodonetsk. The convoy is expected to reach these towns by Friday.

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