UWC delivers 18 pick-ups to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine received eighteen 4×4 pick up trucks as part of the Ukrainian World Congress’s “Unite with Ukraine” initiative.

The lot of Fiat Fullback trucks will be used to support demining teams in their efforts to clear towns and villages littered with thousands of tons of deadly explosive ordnance left behind by the Russian forces.

“For the UWC, the foremost priority is the delivery of quality equipment and aid in full cooperation and collaboration with our Ukrainian partners. We listen to their needs and concerns to best understand what kind of support is required. The delivery of these trucks is a great illustration of the level of partnership and the scale of the types of projects we have been involved with in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.” Stated Andrew Potichnyj, the Director of the Unite with Ukraine initiative at the Ukrainian World Congress.

With more than 30% of the country – nearly 174,000 square kilometers contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance left behind by the invading forces of the Russian Federation, Ukraine is believed to now be the most mined country in the world. Over the past 12 months there have been more than 600 mine related casualties on the territory of Ukraine. In addition to directly causing injury and death, mines render large swathes of land inaccessible and unusable for farmers.

“We are extremely grateful to the Ukrainian World Congress for the support provided in the form of vehicles for our pyrotechnic units. Considering the operational conditions, workload and challenges facing the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the area of demining, this is exactly the necessary equipment that will help make the process more effective and the working conditions of our personnel more comfortable,” said Serhiy Kruk, Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

“Thank you to our donors and supporters that contributed to this vital project. The Ukrainian diaspora and friends of Ukraine from over 50 countries worked together to collect funds to provide this vital equipment for demining teams of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Let this successful delivery act as a reminder that every dollar matters and that no donation is ever too small. When the diaspora works together, we can achieve effective and tangible results on the ground”, said Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress.

The Ukrainian World Congress, as part of its #UniteWithUkraine initiative has provided more than $40 million in aid to the Territorial Defense Forces, the Armed Forces of Ukraine among other security structures, funded from donations in over 70 countries.