Dnipro, 13 March 2023 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union (EU) and the Government of Denmark, has purchased and delivered a batch of 35 sets of clothing and 14 first-aid kits for the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine for a total of UAH 2.5 million (around US$67,000).

Amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, rescue teams are providing life-saving assistance in the region's most volatile areas. Donetsk Oblast has been severely affected by the armed conflict and the full-scale war, making the work of the SES especially vital. With their quick response time, SES rescue teams are often the first to arrive on the scene, offering essential medical care and support to those injured or trapped in the rubble.

Since 2016, the partnership between the SES and UNDP has grown stronger, with a focus on enhancing the abilities of emergency responders to provide timely and effective safety services to communities affected by the war. This unwavering commitment reaffirms our dedication to helping Ukraine safeguard its citizens and ensure their safety.

Frederik Coene, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stated that the Russian war of aggression has largely undermined Ukraine's security, and that the work of the SES has become considerably more difficult as a result of the ongoing war. “The European Union, together with the UNDP and other partners, is establishing reliable support programmes for the SES so that rescue workers can work more effectively in the war settings and ensure the safety of the population, especially where active hostilities are ongoing,” Coene said.

Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Mikkelsen highlighted that supporting security, particularly by strengthening the capacities of the SES to respond to war-induced threats, is a priority area of support from the Government of Denmark to Ukraine. “The State Emergency Service of Ukraine is essential for Ukraine’s resilience. Denmark is proud to support the men and women of the SES, delivering crucial humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians across the country facing the horrors of Russian aggression,” Ole Mikkelsen said.

Nils Christensen, the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme Manager, emphasized the crucial role that rescuers play in supporting community security. “At UNDP, we are doing everything possible to help Ukrainian rescuers save lives, while at the same time limiting the risk to their own safety and well-being with protective equipment and mental health or medical support skills,” Christensen said. “We must ensure these brave women and men will be able to carry out their lifesaving work while also protecting themselves.”

This batch was delivered under the auspices of the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme.

Background

The United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP) is being implemented by four United Nations agencies: UNDP, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Eleven international partners support the Programme: the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, and the governments of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org