Estonian food aid has reached those in need in Ukraine
The first delivery of Estonian food aid has arrived at refugee centres in the Odessa region, the Foreign Ministry said today.
"The humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine is very difficult," Foreign Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus said. "Due to the deterioration of the security situation, there are close to 470 000 internally displaced persons in Ukraine. People are in need of food and other basic necessities," she added.
The Foreign Ministry sent humanitarian food aid to Ukraine's internally displaced persons in cooperation with associated members of the Estonian food industry, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In association with E-Milk Production AS, AS Maag producers of canned food and Salvest AS, 20 tonnes of whole milk powder, 4,7 tonnes of canned meat and 4,5 tonnes of canned soup was sent to internally displaced persons in Ukraine.
In addition to Odessa region, food will be delivered to internally displaced persons in the Donetsk, Slavyansk and Severodonetsk regions.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has increased its presence in Ukraine and has deployed its mission to Eastern Ukraine. The UNHCR supplies refugee centres, hospitals and children's facilities in the crisis region with food, warm clothes, toiletries, and other basic necessities.
The Estonian government supports the alleviation of the situation of internally displaced persons from Eastern Ukraine, and distribution of humanitarian food aid with 80 000 euros.