The new hub is opened in the context of RescEU, a component of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism created to protect citizens from disasters and manage emerging risks. Fully financed by the EU, RescEU has established a new reserve of resources which includes a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, medical evacuation planes, a stockpile of medical items, field hospitals and mobile shelters for displaced people. Furthermore, the EU is also developing a reserve to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents.

Following the Russian aggression on Ukraine, the EU has deployed the largest ever operation coordinated via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Indeed, through its RescEU stockpiles from various locations across the Member States, the EU delivered more than 80,000 tonnes of assistance materials, such as medicines, medical supplies, temporary shelter units, power generators, ambulances, school buses, fire engines, mobile hospitals, food supplies but also specialised equipment to respond to CBRN incidents.

The EU has now awarded 114 million euros to Poland for purchasing generators to be part of this RescEU energy reserve, aiming at helping Ukraine to face the challenges posed by the war, since Russia continues to attack the country’s energy infrastructures during its military aggression actions.

Indeed, the hub will deliver 1,000 new power generators to Ukraine from the RescEU reserve, which are added to the 1,400 generators and millions of energy items already offered via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. These generators range from smaller sizes, capable of powering single households, to much larger models suitable for keeping public buildings and vital community services running, such as hospitals and central heating points.

“By making the new RescEU energy hub open for other donors, we can help boost energy donations for Ukraine in its darkest hour. I want to thank Poland for stepping up and taking the lead”, said the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.

How to donate for the RescEU hub in Poland

The EU hub in Poland will also allow international partners and the private sector to help channel their donations, while also fully financing the transport of supplies from the hub to Ukraine.

Private entities and third parties that wish to donate can fill in this form or contact the European Commission via email: [email protected].

In March 2022 the EU created an operational system to channel in-kind donations from the private sector to Ukraine, prioritizing donations such as shelter and related non-food items, medical equipment (surgery kits, wound therapy equipment, blood collection equipment, oxygen supply etc.), diagnostic and laboratory tests, first aid kits, CBRN countermeasures, vaccines and medicines.

All those who are interested in these kinds of donations or want more information can contact: [email protected]