Belgium to launch recovery programme for Ukraine
Belgium is launching a 150 million euro aid package for Ukraine, aimed at rebuilding the war-ravaged country. It will focus on critical infrastructure, from hospitals to shelters. The two countries are due to sign a cooperation agreement on Wednesday.
In late 2023, Belgium promised Ukraine a 185 million euro aid package. Some 150 million euros will be used to rebuild the country, where tens of thousands of kilometres of roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been destroyed since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.
On Wednesday, Belgium and Ukraine are due to sign a cooperation agreement allowing Belgian development agency Enabel to implement the programme over the next four years.
"It is crucial to continue supporting the Ukrainian people, especially now that the Russian army is advancing again"
The programme will mainly focus on critical infrastructure projects, such as rebuilding schools, hospitals and power facilities. The first tranche of 20 million euros will go towards restoring energy facilities in the capital, Kyiv, especially those of the hospitals, as winter is coming. Additional shelters will also be built in schools across the country.
“It is crucial to continue supporting the Ukrainian people, especially now that the Russian army is advancing again and attacks on civilian targets are becoming more frequent again,” said Development Cooperation minister Caroline Gennez, who will participate in the online signing ceremony with Belgian and Ukrainian prime ministers Alexander De Croo and Denys Shmyhal.
“Just look at the brutal attack on the children's hospital in Kyiv last week," she said. "That fits completely into Putin's strategy: using attacks on schools, hospitals and energy facilities to make the lives of ordinary Ukrainian people as difficult as possible, so that they lose courage and eventually give up the fight. We must not let that happen.”
A building destroyed by the Russian missile attack on the Ohmatdyt National Specialized Childrens Hospital in Kyiv, 12 July 2024 © PHOTO YULIIA OVSIANNIKOVA/UKRINFORM/BACAPRESS.COM
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